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Friday December 6 - Teaching, preaching and healing
Jesus went... teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and illness among the people. Matthew 4:23
Jesus, empowered by his Father through his time of communion with him in the desert, moved into this time of public ministry. He would have taken up the standing invitation in synagogues to host distinguished teachers, thereby spreading his message of freedom and good news in those established places of worship. And wherever he went, he shared the good news of his Father’s kingdom, of forgiveness of sins and a welcome to life eternal. He didn’t speak empty words but backed them up with action – he healed not only some, but every, disease and illness, as Matthew recounts.
We know we’re not Jesus, and yet we’re also called to teach, preach and share God’s healing. Some of us will do so through various Christian institutions, while others will teach and preach through other avenues. And although we might not directly heal – after all, that’s God’s area – we can be his agents of healing, through the sharing of love, empathy, care and, for some, medical knowledge and skill.
How might God collaborate with you to spread his kingdom of love and light? We have the immense privilege of being his hands and feet on this earth. And he doesn’t leave us on our own – through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, he equips us for our mission. Amen!
Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching, preaching and healing. I know I’m not you, yet you invite me to take part in your work on this earth. Help me to share your love. Amen.
Saturday December 7 - The news spreads fast
News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill... and he healed them. Matthew 4:24
The news spread fast, and why wouldn’t it? People who had been afflicted with diseases and illness were healed – Matthew includes in this list those who had been in severe and life-limiting pain, those who were possessed by demons, those having seizures and those who were paralysed. All of them Jesus healed.
The crowds who sought relief from physical pain would also find emotional and spiritual healing in his words and actions. And the many people thronging to be close to Jesus would soon receive his world-changing teaching, in what’s known as the Sermon on the Mount (which we’ll start to explore next week). All of this attention on Jesus, with his increasing fame, would incense the Jewish religious leaders, eventually sending Jesus to his death. But he kept his focus, being undeterred in bringing forth God’s kingdom on earth.
How do we follow Jesus in staying true to our own calling and mission, especially when we sense the disapproval of others – or worse? We see one clue in the episode that came just before this passage, which is Jesus’ communion with his Father in the desert. We too can be empowered by God’s Spirit as we stay close to him.
May you enjoy the freeing love of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit!
Healing Jesus, you kept true to your mission, never wavering. And you’re at work today in the world, bringing healing and freedom. I love and serve you! Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY