Scripture: Matthew 12:15-21

Key verse: (15) When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of them.

Reflection: Jesus is a healer. Earlier, in Matthew 8, Jesus is said to have healed all the sick that were among the crowds. That does not surprise us, because we know stories of Jesus healing the paralytic, the man born blind and the woman who touched the hem of his garment. Stories were spreading about the miracles of Jesus and his ability to not only heal but to raise someone from the dead. Jesus instructed them not to make him known or to keep these things to themselves.  Regardless, the stories of Jesus miracles spread.

Even though the stories of healing do not surprise us, there is something that catches me off-guard. The statement that Jesus healed “all of them” is unexpected.

We don’t all need healing! (or do we?)

In one of my first visits to the hospital, I went to see a member and he asked me very abruptly, “why are you here?” Clearly I was there to visit him, I thought, so I was not sure what he was saying. He didn’t mean he didn’t want me to visit, he just thought I had more important work to do. I told him that I would stay 5 minutes, say a prayer and then I would be on my way, to something more important. In reality, our care and compassion for one another is important work. (After this visit, this member continues to have a special place in my heart.)

Jesus healed “all of them”, important ones and invisible ones. He healed all. Jesus continues to offer us healing even when we don’t think we need it. I am betting we do.

Prayer: Lord, leave us not to our own defenses. Heal us, redeem us and comfort us. Amen.

Author: Michelle Thomas-Bush

[Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved].