Tuesday - July 9, 2024
Healing Ministry (More Sabbath Ministry) Mark 1:29-34
Mark 1:41; Mark 5:41; Mark 2:1-12; Mark 3:1-6; Mark 5:7-13.
“That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed” (Mark 1:32)
Jesus' Ministry of Healing - Precious Revealing of His Presence
"Happy is the man whom God correcteth. . . . He maketh sore, and bindeth up; He woundeth, and His hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles; yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee." To every stricken one, Jesus comes with the ministry of healing. The life of bereavement, pain, and suffering may be brightened by precious revealings of His presence. {ST, February 5, 1902 par. 8}
Each fiery trial is God's agent for our refining. Each is fitting us for our work as co-laborers with Him. "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." Mrs. E. G. White. {ST, February 5, 1902 par. 9} The Signs of the Times
Deliverance From Sin and Healing Disease Linked
In the ministry of healing, the physician is to be a co-worker with Christ. The Saviour ministered to both the soul and the body. The gospel which He taught was a message of spiritual life and of physical restoration. Deliverance from sin and the healing of disease were linked together. The same ministry is committed to the Christian physician. He is to unite with Christ in relieving both the physical and spiritual needs of his fellowmen. He is to be to the sick a messenger of mercy, bringing to them a remedy for the diseased body and for the sin-sick soul.--MH 111 (1905). {2MCP 683.4}
God's Restoration of the Sick to Complete Optimum Health
God is just as willing to restore the sick to health now as when the Holy Spirit spoke these words through the psalmist. And Christ is the same compassionate physician now that He was during His earthly ministry. In Him there is healing balm for every disease, restoring power for every infirmity. His disciples in this time are to pray for the sick as verily as the disciples of old prayed. And recoveries will follow; for “the prayer of faith shall save the sick.” We have the Holy Spirit’s power, the calm assurance of faith, that can claim God’s promises. The Lord’s promise, “They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:18), is just as trustworthy now as in the days of the apostles. It presents the privilege of God’s children, and our faith should lay hold of all that it embraces. Christ’s servants are the channel of His working, and through them He desires to exercise His healing power. It is our work to present the sick and suffering to God in the arms of our faith. We should teach them to believe in the Great Healer.—(Ministry of Healing, 226.) {Pr 231.4}
A Work of First Importance - Medical Missionary Work
During His ministry, Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching.--The Ministry of Healing, p. 19. {ChS 132.1}
Before the true reformer, the medical missionary work will open many doors.--Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 62. {ChS 132.2}
Genuine medical missionary work is the gospel practiced. --Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 168. {ChS 132.3}
Medical missionary work is the pioneer work of the gospel. In the ministry of the word and in the medical missionary work the gospel is to be preached and practiced. --The Ministry of Healing, p. 144. {ChS 132.4}
The Saviour of the world devoted more time and labor to healing the afflicted of their maladies than to preaching. His last injunction to His apostles, His representatives upon the earth, was to lay hands on the sick that they might recover. When the Master shall come, He will commend those who have visited the sick and relieved the necessities of the afflicted.--Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 225. {ChS 132.5}
He designs that the medical missionary work shall prepare the way for the presentation of the saving truth for this time,--the proclamation of the third angel's message. If this design is met, the message will not be eclipsed nor its progress hindered.--Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 293. {ChS 132.6}
Consider the Following
While they were preparing the table, they told Jesus about Peter's mother-in-law, attacked by fever (Mark 1:30). Once healed, this woman dedicated herself to serving the guests (Mark 1:31). The benefits that Jesus imparts to us provoke in us the desire to share them with others.
The miracle of the demon possessed was the topic of conversation in many homes in Capernaum. So, at the end of the sacred hours of the Sabbath, when the sun had set, they brought many sick people to Jesus to be healed (Mark 1:32-34).
What a joy! What cries of praise resounded in Simon's house! And not only did the healed praise, Jesus himself rejoiced in bringing them healing.
