Message from Scripture: 3/18/2021

Our message from Scripture today is Matt. 8:16. “When evening came, they brought to him many who were demon-possessed. He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.”

The English word therapy come from the Greek word θεραπεύω (therapeuo). In its original setting, it meant to serve. Later, however, doctors who rendered service in healing the sick became known by this word. Because it was used in reference to doctors, it took on the meaning “to care for the sick, to treat medically, to cure.”

In the New Testament, this word is never used in the general sense to serve.  It's often used, though, with the meaning to heal.  However, it wasn't used to refer to medical healing by doctors, but of the real healing Jesus performed.  Only Jesus could “cast out the spirits with a word, and heal all who were sick” (Matt. 8:16), even to restoring withered limbs, and life itself.

Jesus performed such acts of healing, not just for the sick person's benefit, but also more importantly, to testify to His being the Son of God. The healing He provided physically is secondary to the healing He offers spiritually, to heal a world sick with sin.  Only in Christ is there spiritual healing and the cure for sin's consequences. “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).

No one likes getting sick physically, and we should be equally as upset with what sin does to our spiritual vitality. The blood of Christ is the cure for sin, and living for Him the therapy to avoid a setback (1 John 1:7). Let’s rejoice in the salvation Jesus, our great Physician, makes available to us. Have a great day today. God bless.

Robert