Jesus the Healer: a Failure to Heal

What would you attempt if you could not fail?  ~unknown

Welcome dear friend, to a series on the healing stories of Jesus. The root of the word healing in New Testament Greek, sozo, is the same as that of salvation and wholeness.  (UM Book of Worship) 

I invite you to enter into a time of Lectio Divina, deep prayer with scripture, as we explore one of the healing stories of Jesus.  Gather your journal if you have one, your bible and something to write with or simply use your computer, I've provided everything you need.

How much longer?  How much longer?  Usually we hear human beings crying out to God with these words but this week it is Jesus who cries out in frustration.  He has just come down from the mountain with his closest friends after sharing an amazing spiritual experience: the transfiguration.  

Suddenly he is confronted by a man who reports the disciple’s failure to heal while he was away.  The man’s son has seizures and demons which Jesus exorcises after he demands they bring the boy to him.   Jesus heals the boy as he attributes this failure to a lack of faith on the part of unbelieving people and faithless disciples.  Although I don’t believe our faith is “rewarded,” I do believe that our faith opens us to new possibilities for healing, for wholeness, and amazing possibilities. 

One note:  Some manuscripts add an explanation from Jesus that these types of demons are only removed by prayer and fasting. 

This week’s passage is a fascinating healing story.   My sense is that we need to enter into it with an open heart and a desire for our own faith to deepen.  Take a moment to begin with a Breath Prayer.

Breathing in ... Merciful Jesus
Breathing out ... Increase my faith!

Repeat your breath prayer until you feel centered on God

Pray for illumination of the text, use this one or pray what emerges from within you:   Merciful Jesus, sometimes my faith falters, and I can’t see the healing possibilities of faith.  Open my heart to your word and help me to see what I need to see, to know what I need to know, to reach out in the way I need to reach out.   Amen.

1.  Lectio/Read:   Matthew 17:14-20 (NET)

Close your eyes and see yourself in the story.  As you read this passage, who in the story is God drawing your attention to?  What word or phrase is calling you?  What do you notice?  Simply sit with your person, your word or phrase and allow yourself to rest in any questions that are emerging for you.  

Ilyas Basim Khuri Bazzi Rahib [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons, Folio from Walters manuscript W.592, Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy

 When they came to the crowd, a man came to him, knelt before him, and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers terribly, for he often falls into the fire and into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they were not able to heal him.” Jesus answered, “You unbelieving and perverse generation! How much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I endure you? Bring him here to me.” Then Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of him, and the boy was healed from that moment. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” He told them, “It was because of your little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; nothing will be impossible for you.”

2. Meditatio/Meditation 

Read the text a second time.  You may find that the energy is coming from the same place in the text, but you may also find that another word, image or emotion has become more alive with meaning.  Where is God calling your attention?  Consider how this passage illuminates your life right now.   How does God invite you to grow deeper in your faith?    Take your word, phrase, image, emotion, or questions and write freely in your journal or on your computer.   Don't think about what you are writing while you are writing it.  

3. Oratio/Pray  

Read the text a third time.  Then read your own writing if you wrote anything.  Are there any connections you can make between what you read and the writing that flowed from your reading?  How do you respond to how God is calling you?   How does this passage call upon you to make changes in your life so you are open to the possibilities of God?  What do you want to say to God about what you are hearing?  Take a moment to write again in your journal or on your computer as a prayer in response to what you have heard.  

 

4. Contemplatio/Contemplation  

Take a moment to pause.  Allow your breath prayer to emerge again.  You can use the same one from the beginning or the one below or create a new one for yourself.  Spend time simply "be"ing with God. 

Breathing in ... Merciful Jesus

Breathing out ... Help me be an instrument of your mercy

Repeat your breath prayer until it fades into silence ...  

Allow your experience of praying with this healing story of Jesus to come to a close when you are ready to move on.  Let the Spirit lead you and guide you into the presence of God as you engage your life anew. 

Close with a prayer to send yourself into the world, use this one or pray what emerges from within you: Merciful Jesus, thank you for your guiding spirit upon my life.  Fill my heart with faith and help me to see who needs my attention.    Amen.

Jesus the Healer: Moved with Compassion

Our human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.  ~Nelson Mandela

Welcome dear friend, to a series on the healing stories of Jesus. The root of the word healing in New Testament Greek, sozo, is the same as that of salvation and wholeness.  (UM Book of Worship) 

I invite you to enter into a time of Lectio Divina, deep prayer with scripture, as we explore one of the healing stories of Jesus.  Gather your journal if you have one, your bible and something to write with or simply use your computer, I've provided everything you need.

The word compassion means "to suffer with."  Jesus was a man who suffered with many people along the path in his journey.  He was a man who noticed people, who listened to their cries for mercy, and who responded.  In our passage for this week, the men sitting on the side of the road cried out for mercy but Jesus asked the men specifically what they wanted from him.  When they told him they wanted their eyes to be opened, he cured them immediately of their blindness because he felt their suffering and in that moment he suffered with them.  They responded by following him along the way.   Sometimes in ministry, I find myself feeling sorry for people but that is not compassion because it moves my mind but not my heart.  I am sometimes able to disconnect myself from their suffering.  I find this happens mostly when I am too busy to truly pay attention, to truly notice, to listen not just to the stories but to the deepest need.  Our culture, and many of our politicians think we need to work longer hours, to be more productive, to give and give and give more of ourselves to our work.  But ... I think they are wrong.  I think we need to pause, to notice, to listen, and to respond to the suffering of those around us.  I want to follow Jesus, the man moved by compassion.  Do you want to follow Jesus?    

Take a moment to begin with a Breath Prayer.

Breathing in ... Healing Compassionate Jesus 

Breathing out ... Fill me with compassion for others

Repeat your breath prayer until you feel relaxed and centered

Pray for illumination of the text, use this one or pray what emerges from within you:   Healing Compassionate Jesus, I want to be moved by compassion for others as you were.  I want to be a compassionate and healing presence in the world as you were.  Open my eyes to the suffering of others and help me to suffer with them.  Help me to make a difference. Amen.

1.  Lectio/Read:   Matthew 20:29-34 (NET)

As you read, perhaps there is a word or phrase that will draw you to it.  Pay attention to the men sitting by the side of the road, and to Jesus.  Who in the story is God drawing your attention to, what word or phrase is calling you?  Simply sit with your person, your word or phrase and let yourself be moved with compassion as you read.

As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed them. Two blind men were sitting by the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” The crowd scolded them to get them to be quiet. But they shouted even more loudly, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Ilyas Basim Khuri Bazzi Rahib [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons, Folio from Walters manuscript W.592, Jesus heals two blind men.

 

2. Meditatio/Meditation 

Read the text a second time.  You may find that the same word has energy for you, but you may also find that another word has become more alive with meaning.  Pay attention to the energy this word has for you and consider how it illuminates your life right now.  Is there someone who needs your compassion right now?  If so, take your word or phrase and write freely for that person or situation, in your journal or on your computer.  Perhaps God will show you how you need to pray for that person or what you can do for them.  If that person is you, pay special attention to how God is speaking to your situation.  Don't think about what you are writing as you let God lead you deeper.

3. Oratio/Pray  

Read the text a third time.  Then read your own writing if you wrote anything.  Are there any connections you can make between what you read and the writing that flowed from your reading?  How do you respond to how God is calling you?   How does this passage call upon you to suffer with others?   What do you want to say to God about what you are hearing?  Take a moment to write again in your journal or on your computer as a prayer in response to what you have heard.  

4. Contemplatio/Contemplation  

Take a moment to pause.  Allow your breath prayer to emerge again.  You can use the same one from the beginning or perhaps a new one will emerge for you.  As you continue to pray, let the words fade away into silence. Spend time simply "be"ing with God. 

Breathing in ... Merciful Jesus, Compassionate Healer

Breathing out ... Immerse me with compassion as I suffer with others

Repeat your breath prayer until it fades into silence ... 

Allow your experience of praying with this healing story of Jesus to come to a close when you are ready to move on.  Let the Spirit lead you and guide you into the presence of God as you engage your life as a loving and healing presence to others. 

Close with a prayer to send yourself into the world, use this one or pray what emerges from within you:  Merciful Jesus, Compassionate Healer, lead me and guide me as I follow you.  Help me as I discern where I can suffer with others and reach out with your healing love and grace.  Amen.

Jesus the Healer: Intersession leads to incredible things!

In intercession we are united with the entire family of God because we are investing ourselves in the realization of God’s reign throughout the universe.  ~Maxie Dunnam

Welcome dear friend, to a series on the healing stories of Jesus. The root of the word healing in New Testament Greek, sozo, is the same as that of salvation and wholeness.  (UM Book of Worship) 

I invite you to enter into a time of Lectio Divina, deep prayer with scripture, as we explore one of the healing stories of Jesus.  Gather your journal if you have one, your bible and something to write with or simply use your computer, I've provided everything you need.

As we endeavor to examine and prayerfully allow God to touch our hearts with healing presence, I find this week's passage to be one of the richest passages I've prayed with so far.   It is like a gem with many facets.   With each turn of a phrase, we find the love and mercy of God shining ever deeper and brighter.  First, unlike many passages the Pharisees and teachers of the Law are not seen in such a bad light.  Of course, they are skeptical and put out at Jesus as they always seem to be but, in the end, they glorify Jesus along with everyone else, "astonishment seized them all."  Second, look at the faith of this man's friends.  They were willing to carry him and his burdens to Jesus, not just prayerfully but physically.  They were willing to take apart someone's home in order to find mercy and healing for their friend.  They were integral in this man's healing, "when Jesus saw their faith."   Third and final, we experience Jesus healing this man in both body and soul.  He called the man his friend, and he healed the (INHO) deeper wounds first, "your sins are forgiven."  Further, we witness the complete bodily healing of this man.  Set free from the burden of guilt, shame and communal condemnation, perhaps it is possible these words of forgiveness and Jesus' power to offer them freed the man to walk out on his own, "stand up ... go home!"  I know those words freed me once upon a time from my own guilt, shame, and memories of communal condemnation.  Ah, yes ... the power of forgiveness in incredible indeed. God mercy shines forth in this passage.  May I always remember that this man may not have experienced healing had his friends not interceded for him, and may our own intersessions lead always to incredible things such as these!

Take a moment to begin with a "Breath Prayer."

Breathing in ... Healing Forgiving Jesus 

Breathing out ... Hear my intercessions and have mercy

Repeat your breath prayer until you feel relaxed and centered

Pray for illumination of the text, use this one or pray what emerges from within you:   Healing Forgiving Jesus, as I read about the incredible things you do, reveal to me where I have fallen short myself and forgive me.  Show me who in my life needs my listening ear and my prayerful intercession.  Fill me with desire to be an instrument of your healing through the prayers I say and the action I take for others.  Amen.

1.  Lectio/Read:   Luke 5:17-26 (NET)
As you read, perhaps there is a word or phrase that will draw you to it.  Pay attention to the Pharisees, to the friends, and to Jesus.  Who is God drawing your attention to, what word or phrase is calling you?  Simply sit with your word or phrase and be grateful.

While [Jesus] was teaching, there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting nearby (who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem), and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. Just then some men showed up, carrying a paralyzed man on a stretcher. They were trying to bring him in and place him before Jesus. But since they found no way to carry him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down on the stretcher through the roof tiles right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” Then the experts in the law and the Pharisees began to think to themselves, “Who is this man who is uttering blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their hostile thoughts, he said to them, “Why are you raising objections within yourselves? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralyzed man—“I tell you, stand up, take your stretcher and go home.” Immediately he stood up before them, picked up the stretcher he had been lying on, and went home, glorifying God. Then astonishment seized them all, and they glorified God. They were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen incredible things today.”

"Codex Aureus-Healing Of The Paralytic" by Unknown. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

2. Meditatio/Meditation 

Read the text a second time.  You may find that the same word has energy for you, but you may also find that another word has become more alive with meaning.  Pay attention to the energy this word has for you and consider how it illuminates your life right now.  Is God calling you to intercede for a person or a situation through this passage?  If so, take your word or phrase and write freely for that person or situation, in your journal or on your computer.  If that person is you, pay special attention to how God is speaking to you.  Don't think about what you are writing as you let God lead you deeper.

3. Oratio/Pray  

Read the text a third time.  Then read your own writing if you wrote anything.  Are there any connections you can make between what you read and the writing that flowed from your reading?  How do you respond to the intercessions God is calling you to?   How does this passage call upon you to glorify God?   What do you want to say to God about what you are hearing?  Take a moment to write again in your journal or on your computer as a prayer in response to what you have heard.  

4. Contemplatio/Contemplation  

Take a moment to pause.  Allow your breath prayer to emerge again.  You can use the same one from the beginning or perhaps a new one will emerge for you.  As you continue to pray, let the words fade away into silence. Spend time simply "be"ing with God.

Breathing in ... My friend Jesus, Forgiving Healer

Breathing out ... I glorify you as I meditate on your Mercy

Repeat your breath prayer until it fades into silence ... 

Allow your experience of praying with this healing story of Jesus to come to a close when you are ready to move on.  Let the Spirit lead you and guide you into the presence of God as you engage your life as a loving and healing presence to others.

Close with a prayer to send yourself into the world, use this one or pray what emerges from within you:  My friend Jesus, forgiving healer, thank you for forgiving me all those long years ago and every day since.  Thank you for calling me to consider the pain of others and how I might intercede for them in both word and deed.  Amen.