We invite you, on the occasion of Lent 2022, on a 7 week-journey of biblical meditations until Easter to discover or rediscover the foundations of our ministry of spiritual care.
When we read this account of Luke in the book of Acts, we can first ask ourselves: from what does the Lord Jesus Christ save us? This question is relevant to us today because it helps us lay the foundations of our faith.
We are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8) The term to save, sozo in Greek, means to keep safe and sound, to deliver from danger or destruction. Jesus Christ was sent by God, the Father, to save us from the destruction of sin, death, sickness, and the enemy of our faith, Satan.
We don’t always think of this salvation in Jesus as a complete work. Jesus saves our body and our soul from perdition, from hell but also from eternal death. His sacrifice on the cross gives us access to healing from all kinds of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual illness.
“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your family.” The only thing we’re asked to do is to believe in Jesus! Believing that He is who God says He is. Believing that He has done and will do what He said He would do. Believing because the experiences of our lives demonstrate that God has never abandoned us and that He acts beyond what we can think and imagine!
In the Gospels, we see several individuals crying to Jesus for salvation. In the text of Matthew 8 in verse 25, the disciples approach Jesus and wake Him up. They cry: “Lord, save us! We are going to die.” In this account, during this sudden storm, the terrified disciples could only cry out for salvation!
In Matthew 9 in verse 21, we meet a woman who had an issue with blood discharges for twelve years. Distraught, she goes to the One who works miracles and heals the sick. “If only I touch His garment, I will be healed!” In verse 22 we see that this woman was saved, by her faith in Jesus; she had her healing. We, too, can receive healing. Let us believe that Jesus has the power and wants to heal and deliver us! We just have to believe and receive this healing by faith.
Faith is not a strong hunch. Faith is placing one’s complete trust in Christ; it’s placing oneself in total dependence on Him, the Lord. Often faith does not make sense. Sometimes, what God asks of us may be difficult and hopeless. Let us have faith; believe in Jesus, cry out to Jesus, touch Jesus’ robe and we will be saved – healed – us and our family!
# letusacttogether
How can we dwell in faith this week? What healing do we need? Jesus tells us: ask and you will receive in my name. (Matthew 7:7)
#letuspraytogether
Dear Father, we thank you for the reminder that we are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. Your Salvation saves us, frees us and heals us.Help us to accept and receive this Salvation. Help us to accept and receive Jesus as our only Lord. Help us to accept and receive this healing in You.
Where we struggle with sickness in our body, soul or spirit remind us that we are healed in the name of Jesus. Yes, by the bruises of Jesus we are healed. Instill this truth into us Father, and act deep inside us now. Amen.