I saw a small boy with a withered hand and longed to make him whole. It is not one of the gifts of this age. I could not say as did Peter and John to the lame beggar, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth walk.” My impotence fills me with despair. Yet, I understand the media circus that would occur should someone truly have the gift of healing. There would be riots of those in need seeking access to such a person. Mayhem would overwhelm any bodyguards. It was bad enough for Jesus as Mark said, “Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places.”
Jesus’ heart was moved with compassion for the crowds. How could He not but help? The night before the cross in Herod’s court they brought some pathetic cases before Jesus hoping to see Jesus perform a miracle. How it must have pained Jesus to see them and yet not turn His power into a circus act. Jesus remained silent knowing what was ahead.
Today God shares His knowledge with researchers and scientists. How ironic that some of them are the very ones to deny His existence and yet the prizes they have won for their breakthroughs were only possible because He enlightened them. He calls upon us to pray, to ask. It is not a denial of faith to use modern medicine any more than it would be wrong for someone to use the gifts given them from their parents. God is thrilled for us to ask and He is happy to give good gifts for all mankind’s benefit.
Written by Roger Bothwell on October 10, 2014
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org