"Healing Emanates As Lord Is Nurturing Giver!” (H.E.A.L.I.N.G)

By Ramesh C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Editors note: This devotional is taken from the archives of Gospel of Mark, chapter 5.

Quiet Times (Psalm  16, Proverbs 16, and Mark 5:11-17)

^"A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned." (Mark 5:11-13, NIV)

1. Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town.

2. Those tending the pigs later reported this in the countryside.

3. The people of the town and countryside went out to see what happened.

4. The people of the town came to Jesus.

5. The people of the town saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons sitting there, dressed and in his right mind.

6. The people of the region were afraid.

7. The people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

Yesterday, I had looked at the first four events in the lives of people of the town. Today, I decided to focus on the fifth event.

Observation:

I asked myself what the people discovered about the demon-possessed man.

1. The people of the town saw the demon-possessed man sitting there in the presence of Jesus.

2. The people of the town saw the demon-possessed man dressed in the presence of Jesus.

3. The people of the town saw the demon-possessed man in his right mind in the presence of Jesus.

Interpretation:

I asked myself why it is significant the condition of the man is mentioned after his encounter with Jesus.

Three things happened in the man’s life:

1. I found it very significant because when Jesus healed him he was finally able to sit there in the presence of Jesus. Before, the only thing he could do was fall in front of Jesus or be a wanderer near the tombs crying and cutting self but never could be in one place at peace. Now Jesus’ healing brings him that peace. Jesus addressed the man’s physical condition and met him where he was.
    

2. When Jesus healed him he was finally dressed in the presence of Jesus. This tells me that before the healing he was not dressed. His condition could have made him tear at his clothes and so on or he could have been naked. Now Jesus comes and clothes him in his nakedness by healing him. Jesus addressed the man’s spiritual condition here. The man was naked and trapped in the enemy’s territory being possessed by demons. Now, Jesus comes and heals him of his spiritual condition clothing him not only physically but spiritually.
    

3. When Jesus healed him he was finally in his right mind in the presence of Jesus. This tells me that the demons caused a mental illness in him. Mentally, he was not functioning well. Jesus addressed the man’s mental condition by healing him. Now, because of Jesus’ healing the man was in his right mind.

This is so awesome that Jesus addressed the man’s physical, spiritual, and mental condition when Jesus healed him.

 Implications:

I saw important implications in my own life. I saw the power of Jesus’ healing and that He can heal people where they are at. I know Jesus healed me when I had severe asthma and also when I had fallen couple of times.

I put my hand on my leg that seemed to be badly sprained and asked Jesus to touch it supernaturally and He did. Even the school nurse was shocked and baffled. Jesus’ healing can put people in awe!

In college, I had a serious case of mono probably from drinking fountain water. I prayed about it and so many were praying for me. When the nurse came back with the original results she was amazed.

My eyes become watery when I think about Jesus healing me in different areas of my life knowing He has not changed and can change me. He is the same today, tomorrow, and forever more. I also know that His timing is not our timing but in His perfect timing we can feel the healing for we are never out of His love and never out of His reach!

I ask you now dear friend, where do you need healing.

Dear friend, whatever you are going through, Jesus wants to be there for you. I know He does! No matter what your condition is take it to the Lord in prayer. Do not give up! Jesus has the power to heal and when He heals He heals the person as a whole. Jesus addressed the man’s physical, spiritual, and mental condition. I have read so many testimonies and seen so many testimonies of Jesus’ healing.

Friend, I do not have an answer for those that feel they have not be healed yet except to say Jesus knows your pain and has not forgotten about you.  His healing occurs in His timing and we do not understand. Jesus deliberately decided to come to Gerasenes after He got in the boat with his disciples. He had His timing. He could have come sooner if He chose but He has a reason for everything. God creates no accidents and sometimes miracles hide and God wraps blessings in disguise. You may have to wait sometime to see the reasons why!

May you not give up but come to feel the healing of the Lord!

“Healing Emanates As Lord Is Nurturing Giver!” (H.E.A.L.I.N.G)/”Where do you need healing?”

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you know the healing we need in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones. Thank you for healing the demon-possessed man spiritually, physically, and mentally. Thank you so much for caring for him and how much you care for us too. We are so sorry for our sin. Thank you for dying on the cross to take our sin and coming back to life to save us. Thank you Lord at the cross the broken can come to you, the sick can come to you, the infected can come to you, and all those who need your healing can come to you. So, we come now with whatever condition we face especially the condition of sin and ask you to cleanse us with your cleansing blood. Wash us and we will be whiter than snow. Please come into our heart and make our heart your home. Live in us Jesus and help us to live for you and serve you the rest of the days of our lives. Thank you so much Jesus. We acknowledge you as our Lord and Personal Savior! Thank you Jesus for being our Lord and Personal Savior! Thank you Jesus you have heard us and answered us! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

If you would like to invite Jesus Christ into your heart and make Him a daily part of your life, you can this very moment. You will never be alone. You can claim God's promises for you in the Bible and see them come true, before your eyes, in His wonderful timing. You don't have to wait for a special time to come to the Lord. You can come right now as you pray this prayer, meaning it in your heart. It is a similar prayer I prayed with my mommy to give my life to Christ!

Friend, you may feel something or you may not but this you can be assured that the Lord Jesus has come into your life and will give you a new beginning! Amen!

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Love in Christ,
Ramesh