Last week, a man we know at church died. He was about my age, a father of three kids, and had converted a few years ago. I remember thinking his was one of the most pure and real conversions I had witnessed, even though he had problems on and off afterwards. Maybe it's his being gone now, but I think he was a very sweet guy even with all his failings.
A few months ago, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with leukemia. When I thought about it for a while, I realized I really hate sickness and death. Honestly, I didn't feel so impacted when my father-in-law died of cancer back in 2002 because I didn't know him very well and he wasn't my father-in-law yet. But my mother-in-law has come to live with us a couple times--for three months after we were married and for eight months after Cora was born. She sewed up the holes in my socks and tsk-tsk'ed when I did something unexpected.
Anyway, while I know that we will all eventually face death in our mortal bodies, I can't imagine why some Christians spiritualize Jesus' mission to say He only heals us of our spiritual diseases and not our physical ones as well. I'm sure Jesus is as upset about sickness and death as I am--more so, actually. I believe He came, not only to conquer it in terms of eternity, but temporally as well!
This is not a theological post ... I am just writing out my emotions. I am angry at death and expect God to be as well. I am angry at it right now--fighting angry, not pouting angry. That's why, when I pray for my mother-in-law, I pray that she will be healed completely. I am not ceding anything to death!
3 comments:
ahhh.. good post, t. i'm sure you're aware of the whole "did jesus physically heal us of all our sicknesses by his death and resurrection?" debate. i, for one, am convinced that that's the case. i believe the bible is clear that god wants believers to intercede for physical healing as well as spiritual. until a person breathes their last, we can't stop praying. in the same vein, i offer up a prayer right now for your own health and safety (and your wife's). cora needs to see her dad walk her down the aisle, and for your grandkids to play in your lap.
live long and prosper. oh wait. now i'm invoking a vulcan benediction. :-)
TS--
I agree that God hates sickness and death. And I know that he does heal in miraculous ways. My daughter-in-law's aunt was healed of a massive stroke that affected six areas of her brain, a few weeks ago. The doctor said she'd probably never be more than a "vegetable." The family prayed for her day and night. After three days in a fetal position, she woke up and started talking. Now she is fine, except for a lingering stomach problem. I know God did that.
I don't know why he heals some and not others. I guess that is something we'll have to ask when we get to Heaven! I will pray for your mother-in-law to be healed.
Thanks for both your guys' comments. I must have faith that God has good planned for us, not evil. And I am convinced more when I look at Jesus' ministry ... in no situation did He fail to heal "all their diseases and sicknesses." Even in the case of the woman with the crippled back, God eventually healed her. The only time Jesus did not heal people was in His hometown, and that was because the people lacked faith. O Lord, give us more faith!
Post a Comment