Wednesday 19 December 2007
- Bible Book:
- Matthew
"That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, 'He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.'" (v.16-17)
Background
This passage comes straight after Matthew's recording of Jesus'Sermon on the Mount. Jesus moves from words to action. Chapter 8catalogues a number of healing miracles of which these aretwo.
Matthew makes some interesting connections here as he describesJesus' healing ministry. People "possessed by demons" are neatlyand naturally considered alongside those who were just "sick". Andhe stresses the connection with Isaiah's words from many centuriesearlier, looking forward to the healing work of the Messiah.
Therefore, in effect Matthew says: "Here is Jesus, the Messiahwe've been waiting for, healing all kinds of ailments as we knew hewould".
Holistic health care - in which the whole person, body, mind andspirit, is treated as a single entity - is a concept which has beenoverlooked at some stages of medical history and practice. Whilstmuch modern medical practice is extremely clever and effective,sometimes its technological basis seems to overshadow the humanbeing for whom it is intended. Yet here we see Jesus concerned withpeople, their well-being and healing, irrespective of theiroriginal problems.
To Ponder
How do those "possessed by demons" and the "sick"of Jesus' time reflect those who need healing today?
How do you balance your own understanding andexperience of modern medicine with a sense of God's healing worktoday?