Drawing Power of Healing & Miracles

This morning I find myself thinking about my reflection from the other day, on sharing the news of Jesus and how that was an integral part of the Gospel proclamation.  I was thinking about how miracles and healings were what drew people to Jesus. He had given the invitation to Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow and become fishers of men, and so in line with that analogy, the miracles and healings were effectively "chumming the water" creating an environment that drew people to Jesus.  

I was thinking why healings and miracles, why not finances and food?  Clearly Jesus  did care for the welfare of the people and on a few occasions He did provide food for thousands miraculously.  However, I think the reason the Lord chose healings and miracles is that is something we really can't make happen through our own hands and works.  I know today with modern medicine we can cure many things, and some of the cures certainly border of miraculous, but we certainly, in all of our best efforts in 2000 years not been able to instantly grow out a man's withered arm (Luke 6:6-10), or instantly rejuvenate and restore a man's legs that had been withered and crippled for 38 years (John 5:1-9).  We can help restore people's vision, but not give sight to someone born blind (John 9:1-9).

The second reason I think healings and miracles were used is related to the personal relationship aspect of our faith.  Long term sickness, pain, and or disablement are heavy burdens to carry, and life for those affected can become weary.  In touching and healing people, Jesus was effectively releasing them from that which bound them, wounded them, limited them or caused them great discomfort.  In that moment they knew that God cared for them personally, for Jesus clearly defined where His power and authority came from and preached constantly about the Kingdom of God and Heaven!  The Father is revealing His heart for the people, through touching them and healing them!  What a great gift to know that God personally cares for you!

The Good News is that God still cares for all of us as much as He did for the people in Jesus' time!  We, the Church, now bear the burden and responsibility of continuing Jesus' ministry.  God still does heal people, and some churches and ministries are experiencing God touching people in real ways, brining healing, deliverance and even miracles.  I have included a few links to ministries I have experience with personally, and I have seen God do amazing things!

https://bethelredding.com/ministries/healing-rooms/testimonies

https://globalawakening.com/healing-testimonies

These ministries are just a couple of examples of the Lord drawing people to Himself, showing His care through personal healing!  He continues to draw people to Himself, desiring relationship, and we, the Church, would be the "news spreaders" and "in gatherers" and are supposed to be the ones praying and healing others in Jesus name!  I will close with one of my favorite stories of healing accomplished by the Apostles.  This story is meant to encourage us forward in faith, for God is every bit as powerful today and every bit as desirous for more to experience His loving, healing touch!  Here are the verses - Acts 3:1-16 NIV:

[1] "One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer---at three in the afternoon. [2] Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. [3] When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. [4] Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” [5] So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them." 

[6] "Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” [7] Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. [8] He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. [9] When all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." 

[11] "While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. [12] When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? [13] The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. [14] You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. [15] You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. [16] By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see."

God can and will do similar works, even greater (See John 14: 12) through us His church!  Let us be encouraged and press into the Lord!  Let us spread the news of Him to those we know, those we love, those who need healing!  God knows we can't work up healing and miracles out of our own efforts and He will meet us in our faith!  

Amen and Amen!