Apr. 4: Jesus the Healer

Jesus had attracted crowds not only (or even primarily) to hear Him teach, but to see Him perform miracles—and perhaps acquire healing for themselves or a loved one. Even upon His arrival earlier in the week we find that “the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen” (Luke 19:37) Those in the crowd were eye witnesses to Jesus’ healing power.

Even in the waning hours of His life, as Jesus was being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, we find Jesus the Healer…

When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."

While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?"

And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour--when darkness reigns." Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. (Luke 22:45-54)

Can you imagine; at what would be the lowest moment for most people--being arrested by armed soldiers; not thinking of yourself but looking to ease someone else’s suffering? Appearances are often deceptive. While all those present perceived Jesus as having less control of the situation than anyone we find that in fact He was in total control.

I must wonder what was going through the minds of His captors as they led Jesus away. I imagine the servant just rubbing his ear and staring at Jesus in stunned disbelief. I wonder if Jesus said anything to the man, or maybe smiled and winked at him! Days later, after rumors of Jesus’ empty tomb and speculations about the whereabouts of the body, the servant no doubt rubbed the once severed ear and smiled to himself. I’ve got to believe this man became one who put his faith in Jesus and became an effective witness; telling the story again and again in the years to come.

Because Jesus is alive today we can still experience His healing touch. Is your point of pain physical, emotional, financial? Invite the Healer into your circumstance today, in faith, and see what happens.

“We know that God is at work in all things for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

~ Father, let me tell of your Son’s healing touch from first-hand experience. Let me be a modern-day witness of His power, pointing others to Jesus. Amen.