I am back after a few weeks of traveling. I’m taking a different approach today, reflecting on a verse from the Bible. This one stood out to me because I have many friends and family members who have been dealing with various forms of illness recently.
Matthew 4:24
His fame spread to all of Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and racked with pain, those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics, and he cured them.
Diseases strike all around us. There are some we can’t really help, and some we cause by our diet and lack of exercise. Even our pets get diseases!
We all experience pain at some point, either mental or physical. We take medicine, try natural remedies, and visit doctors.
Maybe we aren’t possessed in the exorcist sense that might first come to mind, but it’s hard not to think of someone struggling with depression, anxiety, or having issues coping with our modern life, isn’t it? What about some kind of substance addiction-drugs, alcohol, or even sugar?
There are people with severe physical and mental issues. It seems like this list covers every possible issue. All these people went to Jesus and he cured them. When we wonder why there are so many bad things going on in the world, we should stop to consider if we are really going to Jesus.
What does going to Jesus even mean?
The people in the time of Matthew’s gospel could physically go to Jesus in Syria. In our present time, we can find him in church or by talking to someone of great faith- which can be really good because we get a new perspective.
We can seek Jesus directly in prayer, which is really just stopping what we are doing to talk to him. They way we would call or text a friend.
We can also find him by sitting quietly reading the Bible or some other spiritual book and then taking time to reflect on what we read – reading slowly and stopping to think about the part that stands out to us for a few minutes.
Perhaps you have a different way of seeking out Jesus, or God, or whatever source you find peace. Just try to go to it.
Possibility & Light 