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Lessons from the Great Physician
The Great Physician now is near,
The sympathising Jesus;
He speaks the drooping heart to cheer,
Oh heard the voice of Jesus.
Refrain:
Sweetest note in seraph song,
Sweetest name on mortal tongue;
Sweetest carol ever sung,
Jesus, blessed Jesus. (William Hunter, c.1870)
One of the well-known portions of the New Testament is the Sermon on the Mount (also called The Constitution of the Kingdom), found in Matthew chapters 5 to 7. It is preceded by a summary of the early ministry of Jesus. "And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming [preaching] the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them" (Matthew 4:23-24 ESV).
The Sermon on the Mount reveals the primary importance of being right with God, and is followed by two chapters with individual incidents of healing in Matthew chapters 8 and 9. In these chapters we are given lessons in divine healing by the Great Physician. We could call these chapters The Contribution of the Kingdom: meeting the needs of the people, finding a hurt and healing it.
First, let's spend a few moments in the summary at the end of chapter 4. Three words stand out: teaching, preaching, healing. This pattern is repeated throughout his ministry. The three actions are identical in order in Matthew 9:35 also. Teaching and preaching prepare the people to receive healing. As one writer said, "All teaching is telling, all preaching is yelling!" Of course, only a teacher like myself would see that distinction.
 When Peter preached in Cornelius' house in Caesarea in Acts 10, he said: "You yourselves know... how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him" (Acts 10:37,38). In spite of the "cessationists" who say that it is not for today, the church universal has a great history of "doing good," of teaching, preaching, and healing, following the example of Jesus. Oral Roberts often preached from chapter 8, declaring it the greatest healing chapter in the Bible. So on to the first lesson. -- Peter Wade [Continued online.]
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We've lowered our book prices!
Nearly all our books (except for those with less than 100 pages) now have a lower price, in both US and Australian stores. Check the online bookstore today!
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RECALL: Cats and Dogs Theology
It is only a repeat if you didn't read it the first time! Here is an article from one of our early newsletters or blog:
A dog says: “You pet me, you feed me, you shelter me, you love me, You must be God.” A cat says: “You pet me, you feed me, you shelter me, you love me, I must be God.” It’s very hard to differentiate between a Dog and a Cat in church. They both look and act “Christian” but there is a huge difference in their heart attitude.
Cats have a tendency to walk away from hell. Their sole focus is on themselves. Dogs walk toward heaven, having fallen in love with God.
Both Cats and Dogs want obedience in their lives. Dogs want to obey God. Cats want God to obey them. You usually see this reflected in their prayer lives.
[Concluded online -- by Bob Sjogren & Gerald Robi]
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He Healeth Me
Tune: He Leadeth Me
He healeth me! O blessed thought,
O words with heavenly comfort fraught;
Whate'er I do, where'er I be,
Still 'tis God's word that healeth me.
Refrain: He healeth me! He healeth me!
By His own power He healeth me;
His omnipresent good I see,
For by His power He healeth me.
Lord, I would feel Thy life in mine,
To thrill my soul with love divine,
To bind me closer still to Thee,
Since 'tis Thy word that healeth me.
(Freely adapted from Joseph H. Gilmore, 1862)
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"700 Leftie Snipers" [#314],
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