I watched on social media as a minister spoke to a lady who had moulded horns on her head and a 'demonic' face paint. I listened as he saw her heart rather than focusing on the look. I heard him with understanding acknowledge her desire to be recognised as an artist. I heard him pull out all the hurt she had experienced and give her the good news. The good news (Gospel) is that for this hurt also, we have Jesus.
Jesus came for the sins of the whole world. He paid the price for us to be free from our sins so that we can have a relationship with God. But that is not the whole package. The whole package is that he paid the price not just for your spirit to be free, but also for your mind, soul and body - all of you!
Prophet Isaiah looking into the future prophesied what the Saviour (the anointed one -the Messiah Jesus) would accomplish:
''Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed.'' Isaiah 53:4-5
He died for us to be free from every pain and suffering as well as from our sins and unrest. Jesus paid the price for the whole package of freedom!
Some believe we need to preach what we have experienced only. While that is good, sometimes one's experience might still be in the process of matching up to the Truth. Just as you would expect a teacher to teach the right principles even if he is still struggling with them, we are expected to deliver the Truth of the Gospel (as it is given) irrespective of our experience.
There are several factors why one's experience might not match up to the provisions of Christ at any given moment. For example, one might still be growing or developing in that area, or facing attacks, or trials that need to be overcome in that area. The truth does not stop being the Truth because it has not yet been experienced. The message that we have gives life. And the power is in proclaiming it just as it is even if we are still on the journey of wholeness ourselves.
Paul the Apostle is an example:
'' As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. '' Galatians 4:13-14
Why did he continue to preach in his illness? Because he knew it to be the Truth. In his own words:
'' For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.'' Romans 1:16
The good news (Gospel) Jesus preached was all-encompassing. It saved men's souls, minds and bodies too. His ministry continued through his followers then and it still does now. This message heals the brokenhearted, delivers captives, gives sight to the blind, and sets at liberty those who are bruised or oppressed. If that is you - in all these hurts and pains - I announce to you: for these we have Jesus!
Disability was no problem to him. Some disabilities are just natural consequences of living in a less-than-perfect world and some have deeper origins. But whether the limitation is brought on by the Devil, circumstances or it is just a birth defect, Jesus restored and still restores us to wholeness! Here is his heart desire for us displayed in his actions:
''A woman was there who, for eighteen years, had an evil spirit in her that made her ·crippled [disabled]. Her back was always bent; she could not stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are ·free [released; set free] from your ·sickness [disability].” Luke 13:11-12 EXB
''As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.[Born blind]
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
“Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.'' John 9:1, 3, 7
Why this message now? Because Jesus wants you and me WHOLE.
Why? Because he paid for us to be WHOLE, he expects this world, our circumstances and our bodies to align to his provision. He just requires us to want that too. If you believe you are whole just as you are then he rejoices in your liberty! However, if you want healing in any area, then Jesus paid to have you whole.
As he asked the man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years, “Do you want to get well?” so he asks today,
''do you want to get well? ''.
If your answer is yes, here is his instruction: “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”
You will need to respond just as boldly as the invalid man did: ''At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.'' [Ref: John 5: 1- 9]
But be it instant or gradual never choose a path that is less than wholeness! Live on the path that Jesus sacrificed himself for us to live in. His path is one of peace, freedom, wholeness i.e. soundness of spirit, mind and body.
“The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”John5:11
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 2:24
''And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.'' Luke 9:2
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