The gentle healer
When Jesus heard about the plot against him, he went away from that place; and large crowds followed him. He healed all those who were sick and gave them orders not to tell others about him. He did this so as to make what God had said through the prophet Isaiah come true:
‘Here is my servant, whom I have chosen,
the one I love, and with whom I am pleased.
I will send my Spirit upon him,
and he will announce my judgment to the nations.’
(verses 15-18)
Read Matthew 12:15-21
How would you have responded if you had been in the crowd that day and Jesus had healed your loved one of an incurable disease? I’m sure the people of that day weren’t any different from us and wanted to tell everyone what Jesus had done. They would have wanted to advertise it from the highest building and see it in headlines in the Jerusalem Times. But Jesus told them to keep quiet about it.
Jesus came to earth as a servant. Everything he did was purely to bring glory to the Father, not to himself. He reigns in heaven now, having done everything asked of him by the Father. Through his obedience, he now has the authority to give us the right to live eternally with him. That is perfect healing for us.
What is your response? Are you willing to follow Jesus’ example? Are you willing to use not only your words but also your actions to bring glory to God?
Thank you, Father, for giving me your Spirit, so that I can serve others and so bring glory to you. Amen.
by Julie Hahn, in ‘Refreshment for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2003)
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