I was reading in the gospel of Matthew this morning and thinking about all the physical healings that Jesus performed during his earthly ministry. These were some really amazing and miraculous healings that occurred. The blind received sight, the crippled were able to walk, the lepers were made clean, the mentally-ill and demon possessed were restored to normal. It got me thinking about how we often pray for healing both for ourselves and for others when health problems arise. We want good health and well-being. We can often expect that this prayer should be answered as we pray it. And we should pray it—and sometimes these prayers are answered with healing—but healing wasn’t the purpose of Jesus’ ministry. Well, at least not physical healing. He healed many to validate his claim that he is the Son of God. These miracles demonstrated his authority over sin and the broken and fallen state of the world. Illnesses, both physical and mental are the result of this fallen state. These miracles drew attention to the love and compassion he has for humanity. But the true and necessary healing is that of the heart. The heart is where the real work is done. The heart is where a life changes.
I have seen these life-changes happen countless times over the years. My own life being one of them. I was young, aimless, feeling like a misfit on the inside while acting self-confident on the outside. There was a certain brokenness that I didn’t quite know how to fix. Most people want so much to feel like they belong somewhere. Deep down there is that need to feel like you aren’t on the outside looking in. Everyone needs to feel loved to have a healthy life. Knowing that your life matters is very healing for the soul. But, relationships come and go. Stages of life are constantly shifting the foundation on which we stand. While belonging to a certain community or circle of friends is a wonderful part of life, it isn’t enough to sustain that deeper core of you, that inner self that you can’t quite communicate to another in such a way that they really fully understand you. They may relate on a certain level that makes you feel understood but they aren’t inside you. They haven’t experienced the impact of those things in life that have played a role in shaping who you are. So, humanely speaking, you alone know you. Does that make you feel lonely?
Well, this is where the healing of the heart comes in. This is what Jesus was all about. We were created to belong to him. But sin has broken that connection to his heart. So, we have wandered from one camp to another looking for that place called “home”. That place where we finally feel at ease. That place where we can kick our shoes off, put our feet up and know that we are known, really known.
Many people don’t see themselves as sinners. They think it is an antiquated idea with no relevance to anything today. But deep down, everyone really does know that something just isn’t right within. We can feel it— our discontentment, our fears, our anger, our distrust, our resentments, our insecurities, they are all so obvious. We make excuses and try to justify them but they are there embedded in our hearts.
So what is the answer? Forgiveness. That is why Jesus came. “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” 1 Timothy 1;15; “For 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. 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.
It’s so simple that its hard for people to believe all they need to do is ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness brings with it the indwelling Holy Spirit and he knows you in your deepest core. He has seen and felt all that you have lived. There are no secrets from him. But, he is the comforter. He soothes that inner angst. He welcomes you into the community of God— the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The only community that truly understands who you are—so go there—go “home”—you will never want to leave.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13