Lent: Made Well
"And He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.” (Matthew 4:23, KJV)
“And He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’” (Mark 5:34, ESV)
Imagine the scene: the sick and the afflicted, their eyes filled with longing, their hearts heavy with despair, yet drawn to the presence of an extraordinary man who carried within Him the promise of restoration. The ministry of Jesus was not confined to the walls of temples but extended to the dusty roads where the burdened sought refuge from their pain. As we read the story of a woman who had been afflicted for 12 years in Mark 5:34, we get a full picture of the healing impact of Jesus. Although she was drained physically, emotionally, and mentally from her illness, she reached out to touch the hem of Jesus' garment, believing that even the slightest connection would bring forth healing. Upon touching Him, she was made whole, and Jesus affirmed her faith, saying, “...your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
Consider the profound significance of these words—in a world fractured by brokenness and pain, Jesus offers not only physical healing but also the restoration of the soul. He sees beyond the outward manifestations of suffering to the depths of our humanity, offering comfort to the wounded heart and renewal to the weary spirit.
As followers of Christ, we are called to embody His ministry of healing in a world hungering for wholeness. Like Jesus, may we walk among the broken, extending the touch of compassion and the balm of hope to all who cross our paths. Let us remember that it is not our strength or our merit that brings about transformation but the boundless grace of God, working through the Holy Spirit with acts of faith and love. The Spirit that restored Christ from the dead is the same One that lives within all of us.
Heavenly Father, may we find refuge in the promise of Jesus' healing touch, knowing that we have access to His Spirit—there is restoration, there is renewal, and there is the enduring peace that surpasses all understanding even in the midst of life's storms. Amen
