Friday 08 March 2019

Psalm: Psalm 92

Background

It probably wasn’t often that the disciples heard what happened after Jesus healed someone, but Peter’s mother-in-law might have said to him (in her best north- country accent):

"Eeh lad, I do like that friend of yours. He’s lovely.

I’d nearly had it, you know – tossing and turning and burning up with fever. I was on my death-bed. I could feel myself going. Folk all around me were crying and moaning, so I knew it was near the end. And you get some funny thoughts when that’s happening. I kept wondering whether there’d be enough to feed all the folks at the funeral and if they’d all be happy with fish.

But I was getting weaker. I had this floaty feeling, as if I wasn’t in the room, or even on the bed, Voices kept fading in and out and I seemed to be letting go of something or other.

Then suddenly, there he was, leaning over me, looking at me – and it was like he was holding on to me, so I wouldn’t go anywhere without him. Then a great cool, calm feeling started in my hand and seemed to creep into the rest of my body. I stopped shaking and came down off the ceiling – if that’s where I’d been – and I could feel life coming back to me. I knew he was holding my hand and it was as if he was saying, ‘come on now, old lass. Let’s be having you up on your feet again.’ He was very gently pulling me up towards him and it was as if his strength was making me feel strong again.

So I stood up. Very carefully! But once I was on my feet I knew I had no need to worry. In fact, I felt so well that the next thing I knew I was asking who wanted a drink and tottering off to make a meal. That’s my way!. Always on the move! As long as I have the strength!

Your new friend was very grateful for the food. Healing me did seem to have taken something out of him.

He’ll always be welcome in this house. I’ll never be able to repay him and I’ll always remember him. He certainly had some power in those hands of his."

To Ponder: 

• How did his healing ministry demonstrate the authority of Christ?
• If someone told you a story of a faith healing, how would you respond?