This week I have had the privilege of teaching the bible story to the children at VBS. The goal was to make them feel like they were part of the story. We had actors that portrayed the characters so that the stories would come to life. As always, I am sure I learned more than they did as I prepared for the lessons.
The first night, we saw Jesus heal the servant of a Roman Centurion. Looking into Matthew 8:1-13, we witnessed the great faith of the Roman soldier. He believed, without a doubt, that Jesus could heal his paralyzed servant. “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed” the soldier pleaded. Jesus was astonished at his faith and healed the servant with just a word.
The second night, we helped Mary and Martha wrap their brother Lazarus in the grave clothes after he had died. (John 11) We cried with them as we laid Lazarus in the tomb. Mary and Martha were very disappointed that Jesus didn’t get there in time to heal their brother. But when Jesus finally arrived, Martha said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." She had faith that Jesus could still do something, even though Lazarus was already dead. Again, with just the power of His words, “Lazarus come forth”, Jesus brought a dead man back to life before their eyes!!
These two stories are not just fairy tales made up to entertain children. These stories were eye witness accounts of events that actually took place. But Jesus’ healing ministry didn’t stop when He left this earth.
In John 14:12-14, Jesus was talking to His disciples before His crucifixion. He told them, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
This week has been filled with people receiving bad diagnoses from the doctors. I have learned of four in the last two days. I am sure you know someone that is sick right now. Jesus is sitting at the right hand of His Father, just waiting for us to ask, with faith, for Him to heal those that are sick and bring life to the (physically and spiritually) dying. It is so simple, yet we make it so complicated. It’s all about the faith. Jesus honors our faith, just like he did the Roman Centurion’s and Martha’s. Speak His words over sickness and death…JUST SAY THE WORD.
