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April 9, 2008
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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
The Healing, by Tim Archer
It was Sunday, March 9, 2008. Steve Ridgell and I had traveled with
Herald of Truth Ministries to the island of Cuba. We were speaking at a
church service in the town of Matanzas. I used the text that I had
chosen beforehand, Mark 2:1-12. The first part of the text seemed very
appropriate. Verse 2 says, "So many gathered that there was no room
left." We were speaking to a group of well over 400 people when there
were only seats for about 300. However, I was a bit uncomfortable with
other parts of the text. As I read about Jesus healing this paralyzed
man, I was acutely aware of the people in wheelchairs at the back of
the audience. I couldn't help but wonder how they felt. Like other
times when I've spoken on this passage, I talked about how Jesus put
more emphasis on forgiving the man's sins than He did on healing his
handicap. I explained that our physical needs can't begin to compare
with our spiritual needs. As I preached, I couldn't help but wonder how
my words were being received by these people whose physical needs were
obviously great.
After the sermon, one of the local members invited any who needed to
respond to the message to do so. Nine people came forward to be
baptized into Christ. One especially caught my eye. She was one of the
people in wheelchairs being wheeled forward by one of her friends, much
like the paralyzed man in the story had been helped by his friends.
This woman was connected to an IV bag. She was in the wheelchair
because she only had one leg. It was obvious that she had major
physical needs.
Physical needs can't begin to compare with our spiritual needs
She was the first to be baptized. I stood in the water, and someone
handed her to me. She professed her faith in Jesus, then I immersed
her. When she came out of the water, no one looked at her leg. Instead,
all eyes were drawn to her face. Seldom had any of us seen such joy,
such pure and unrestrained joy. She was still unable to walk. She was
still a sick woman. But her sins had been forgiven. My sermon about the
importance of the forgiveness of sins versus physical healing was
probably soon forgotten. But her sermon will long be remembered, even
though it was preached without words. She knew. She understood. Her
physical infirmities remained, but she had been healed in the way that
mattered.
I've received the same healing. If you haven't, write to me at
tim@hopeforlife.org or leave a comment on our blog at
www.hopeforlife.org/blog. I'd love to share with you what I shared with
that woman in Cuba.
(Expressed written consent must be obtained prior to republishing,
retransmitting or otherwise reusing the content of this article.
Contact us at info@hopeforlife.org)
Are you presently experiencing a new life? God's word says, "if anyone
is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has
come!"
This new life is a free gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ. If
you want to know more about this life that only Jesus can give you,
sign up for one of our Bible courses. Wherever you are in life,
whatever you've done, you can begin again.
You may also contact us at info@hopeforlife.org if you have questions
about becoming a new creation.
---------
(c) 2008 Herald of Truth
RELATED LINKS:
* Radical Surgery
http://hopeforlife.org/blog/entry.asp?ENTRY_ID=25
* When You Don't Know the Way
http://hopeforlife.org/blog/entry.asp?ENTRY_ID=8
* Is That All There Is?
http://hopeforlife.org/blog/entry.asp?ENTRY_ID=15
* HopeForLife
http://www.hopeforlife.org
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200804/20080409_healing.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
VELVET ELVIS: REPAINTING THE CHRISTIAN FAITH, by Rob Bell
In this provocative, hopeful book, Bell asks what the church might look
like if today's believers fully embraced "the way" of love, peace,
sharing possessions, compassion, risk, forgiveness, and harmony.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?254
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
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