SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT FOR TODAY

Luke 6:17-19

Jesus Heals a Great Multitude
“¹⁷ And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, ¹⁸ as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. ¹⁹ And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.”

Memory Verse Luke 6:19 (NLT)

“EVERYONE TRIED TO TOUCH HIM BECAUSE HEALING POWER WENT OUT FROM HIM, AND HE HEALED EVERYONE.”

In the previous edition of Spiritual Nourishment for Today we looked at Jesus’ selection of his Twelve Apostles out of his many disciples. We emphasized on the fact that Jesus chose them thoughtfully and prayerfully. He also chose people with varied backgrounds and experiences without looking down on any group of people. We should all be guided by the example set for us by Jesus in the selection of leaders for God’s church. In this edition we want to look at Jesus’ immediate ministry after selecting his apostles.

After Jesus had finished selecting the Twelve Apostles, he came down from the mountain and went to a level ground to teach all his disciples. He wanted to teach them what is called by many theologians as the ‘Kingdom Ethics’. He knew that his disciples, especially the twelve chosen ones, needed to be equipped fully to execute the ministry he was going to hand over to them. As Jesus and his disciples gathered many other people also joined them. They were from Jerusalem and Judea and far places such as Tyre and Sidon, regions beyond the borders of the Jews. People came from far and near not just to see Yeshua Ha’Mashiack, but to listen to his teachings.

Because Jesus taught the truth boldly and under the power of the Holy Spirit many people from all walks of life were attracted to his teaching grounds. Even his enemies loved to come and listen to him because of the spiritual nourishment they received from him. Even though we are living in a world where many hate to hear the truth, God can send people from far and near to listen to those who teach the true gospel. So do not think that when you preach the true gospel you will lose members of your congregation. God will always bring those who desire to hear the truth to come and listen to you or read your writings. Do not ever think by diluting the gospel of Jesus Christ you can attract more hearers. You will be spelling your own doom if you do so. Stick to the true gospel, teach it and live at all times and the Lord will bless you abundantly!

Apart from the teachings, many people were also attracted to Jesus because of his healing powers. So whenever they heard of Jesus teaching and preaching anywhere, they went out with their diseases, sick friends and relatives. They knew very well that Jesus did not only have answers to their spiritual hunger for the word of God but also for their diseases and sicknesses. And truly they always had their needs met by Jesus. They were never disappointed by Jesus. Jesus reached out to all the sick people who were brought to him and healed them because the healing power of God emanated from him to heal. There was no disease so hard for him to all. Jesus is still alive and his healing power is still at work. His word needs to be emphasized but we should not fail to remind people of his healing powers as well. Therefore we should not send our ailments anywhere. We should send all our health problems to Jesus because he has all the solutions.

This does not mean we should neglect medication because of the healing power of Jesus. Jesus can heal through trained medical personnel or medicines, whether oriental or orthodox. I would like to remind all believers who are having troubles with their health to trust in Jesus and send all their problems to him for surely he has the answers to all our medical problems. Jesus demonstrated and is still demonstrating that he has power over sicknesses. Indeed he is the God that heals.

Moreover many more people went to Jesus because of his power over evil spirits. Jesus exercised his power over evil spirits when he cast out many evil spirits from those who were brought to him. Evil forces such as witchcraft power, voodoo, charms and others are no matches for Jesus. When they encounter Jesus they surrender and leave because his power overcomes them.

This power over evil spirits is part of Jesus’ delegated authority to us. He gave the Apostles power to cast out demons and they used it effectively. He has given that power to us as well. We can also cast out demons and other forces tormenting our brethren if we shall call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sadly, many believers are afraid of evil spirits. It is all because they are either not living right with God or they do not know the power given to them by Jesus. If you are a true child of God do not let anyone deceive you that you need to do anything special to obtain power to resist and cast out evil spirits.

I want to remind you that Jesus lives in you and has empowered you to resist the devil. So do not keep the stick in your hand while the snake bites you. Strike its head with the stick and kill it! May we always be drawn nearer to Jesus for answers to our psychological, physical and spiritual problems!

THE WORD OF THE LORD!

Pastor Nana Kobina Baisie
Teacher/Pastor at Nadrim Mission International School, Busan, Korea.