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JESUS HAS POWER OVER SICKNESS

SCRIPTURE READINGS
ISAIAH 40:21-31
1 CORINTHIANS 9:16-23
MARK 1:29-39

SUNDAY REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Jesus has power over sickness.” Sickness is any condition that makes a person physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually unsound or unwell. Jesus has power over sickness means Jesus has dominion or authority over any condition that makes us ill, unsound or unwell. We shall reflect on the following points:
1. Jesus has power over physiological and spiritual sickness caused by unclean spirits or demons.
2. Jesus has power over spiritual sickness caused by a lack of knowledge of the Word of God.

Firstly, Mark’s account of the Gospel proves to us that Jesus has power over physical and spiritual sickness. Physical sickness may be caused by diseases and spiritual sickness may be caused by an unclean spirit. After healing Simon’s mother-in-law, “That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. ³³ The whole town gathered at the door, ³⁴ and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. (Mark 1:32-34). Again, we recall in Mark 5:1-13 that a man was mentally sick because he was possessed by a legion of demons but Jesus healed him because He had power over sickness caused by unclean spirits. Jesus indeed has power over physical, mental and spiritual sickness. When we come to Him in prayer and faith, He shall set us free from the bondage of sickness. The woman who bled for twelve years said, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” ²⁹ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering…”He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:28-29,34). Beloved in the Lord, we have great assurance that Jesus has power over sickness, It is for this reason Paul assured us that, ” —the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:12-13) In our affliction, pain and sickness we are greatly encouraged to turn to Jesus in prayer because He has assured us that “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:13-14). Sometimes our sickness and pain may be prolonged but Isaiah greatly reminds us, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. ²⁹ He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. ³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; ³¹ but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31)  

Secondly, the lack of the Word of God can also render us sick morally and spiritually. In other words, the Word of God cures our moral and spiritual sickness. Mark tells us that “Simon and his companions went to look for him, ³⁷ and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” ³⁸ Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” ³⁹ So he travelled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. (Mark 1:36-39) Without the Word of God in our hearts, we shall remain in darkness and be sick morally and spiritually. Hosea 4:6 reminds us that “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” Paul also followed the example of our Lord Jesus Christ in liberating people through the preaching of the Word of God when He said “For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!.. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:16,22-23). Beloved in the Lord, there are many lost souls out there who are morally and spiritually sick. It is our obligation as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ to preach the Gospel for the salvation of many. We are to remind those who are morally and spiritually sick that “…God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16-17). The more we preach Christ the more people will be healed from their moral and spiritual sickness. A morally corrupt and sick society needs the message of Salvation. When Jesus reigns in our hearts, corruption and immorality will disappear because our societies will be filled with godly men and women or true disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world is currently sick of sexual immorality, drunkenness, bribery, wickedness and greed. Many people have perished and many more are about to perish because of their moral and spiritual sickness, it is for this reason Jesus commissioned us, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20) We represent Jesus and are a source of hope to those who are morally and spiritually sick when we go out there to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Again, we remain morally and spiritually healthy if we continue to feed on the Word of God daily in our lives.

In summary, we have reflected on the theme “Jesus has power over sickness” We have discovered that Jesus has power over physiological sickness and spiritual sickness caused by unclean spirits or demons. Again, Jesus has power over moral and spiritual sickness caused by a lack of knowledge of the Word of God. May the Holy Spirit sustain our physical, spiritual and moral health through our Lord Jesus Christ and the constant feeding on His Word. Amen.