Healing Touch

When a youth my grandfather lost three older brothers and his only sister to typhoid fever. He and two other surviving brothers felt called to study medicine because of this family tragedy. Then, and even now, there were so few doctors to care for folks like them, the poor who lived far from towns and cities. He sent himself through college, and then taught school to help his brothers with their studies, until they got through medical school. Then he himself went.

About the turn of the century he began his work, originally making house calls with a horse and buggy. In the small town where he practiced all his life, he became much beloved and respected over the years. Many nights, and sometimes even for days, he would stay with a sick person or family to nurse them through a crisis. If someone were ill, he went, regardless of who they were or where they dwelled - often it was in very remote, rural areas. In the end, unfortunately, medicine failed him, and he had to retire after many, many years of practice. One day a woman came to the house asking to see the doctor, which was not at all unusual in that time and place. She had to be told that he was now too ill to see patients. But this lady had a very sick baby, and she knew of his tenacity in fighting illness and his special devotion to his tiniest patients, having lost his own first child. Holding it out, she pleaded, "If you will just put the baby on his bed, I know it will get better." This very touching faith was not really misplaced, for Papa had been a "faithful follower" all his life, and the Christ-light shone through him like a beacon; so much so, that she believed putting her little one in his hands would be enough to restore him to health! That kind of faith, hope, and love did not go unrewarded. Even in his own distress Papa attended that little one. I wonder, whose hands do we put our life in? Whose healing power do we have faith in?

Jeremiah 8.21,22 - My heart has been crushed because my people are crushed; is there no medicine in Gilead? Are there no doctors there? Why, then, have my people not been healed?

Mark 2.17 - "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard it he said to them, "They who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Luke 9.38-43 - "Teacher, I beg you, look at my son, my only son!" "Bring your son here." Jesus gave a command and healed the boy and gave him back to his father. All the people were amazed at the mighty power of God.

Matthew 8.9 - "I know you have authority to tell his sickness to go - and it will go." Jesus stood there amazed! "I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel."

Matthew 9.21 - She thought, "If I only touch him, I will be healed." Jesus turned and spoke to her, "Daughter," he said, "all is well! Your faith has healed you."

Matthew 14.36 - The sick begged him to let them touch even the tassel of his robe, and all who did were healed.

Mark 10.51-52 - "O Teacher," the blind man said, "I want to see!" And Jesus said to him, "All right, it is done. Your faith has healed you."

Luke 5.18-20 - Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a bed, and they tried to carry him in the house and put him in front of Jesus. Because of the crowd they could find no way to take him in, so they took him up on the roof, made an opening in the tiles, and lowered his bed into the middle of the group in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the man, "My friend, your sins are forgiven."

Luke 6.19 - All the people tried to touch him, for power was going out from him and healing them all.

Luke 9.11 - And the people followed him, and he received them, and spoke to them of the Kingdom of God and healed them that needed healing.

Malachi 4.2 - But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings.