“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

 

Question: Does God still heal people today? Situations which can’t be explained in psychosomatic terms, or hocus-pocus make-believe ways? Medical science is coming to understand that prayer for the sick and dying does make a difference. Several carefully documented studies now prove this, studies which include situations whereby even the individual who is sick doesn’t even know that people are praying for him or her.

Reacting to abuses, and fear that we will be identified with the fringe, often godly men who are capable preachers and teachers avoid the restoration ministry of the Gospel which includes physical and emotional healing. Those who are physically sick are only a small regiment of the vast army of hurting people who have been wounded by the direct effect of sin today—all of whom need health and healing.

The New Testament tells us that we are to be holy as God is, for without holiness no man will see God (Hebrews 12:14). The English word “holy” comes from an Anglo-Saxon word hal or halig which means whole or complete. Jesus had far more in mind when He started His ministry than emptying the sick beds of those who came to hear Him.

He began His ministry quoting Isaiah 61, where among other things it says, “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1). So, what does that include? The brokenness of our lives today, which include marriages torn apart from infidelity, the pain of memories which haunt and create turmoil, the loss of decency and morality, the guilt and trauma of childhood abuses, and a vast number of other symptoms. So, where do we go from here?

The Good News of the Gospel is that this great, awesome God cares about you, about your peace of mind, and He wants to bring wholeness and healing to your mind and body.

There is liberation for the man held captive to drugs, sexual abuse, and pornography. There is help and hope for the girl whose self-image is trashed because she sold her virginity for the price of a good time. There is hope for the senior who fears facing God with unresolved issues which march like a movie clip across his or her mind when he or she tries to sleep.

That is what Jesus’ mission was about! It is all part of the Good News which has been kept tragically quiet. If you are a pastor or a religious leader, take inventory and do some soul searching. Yes, I know you want to make a difference, so why not break with the expectations that you think people have for you and do what Jesus would do?

Most of Jesus’ most profound teaching followed encounters, going one-on-one with hurting people. “No, I’m not going to get involved in counseling,” some pastors tell me, “Takes too much time.” OK, have a staff. But when do you have times of small group prayer, or recovery meetings when you specialize in restoration and healing? When do you pray for the sick based on the command of James 5?

No, today’s commentary is not a diatribe on the shortcoming of pastors or the churches of our day, but the announcement which Jesus made long ago: There is healing for the brokenhearted, health for the sick, and restoration for the broken, something which no institution in all the world or no other church or belief system offers. The works of healing are all part of the restoration process which should follow an encounter with the Gospel.

 

Resource reading: 1 Peter 2:23-25.