The 12 Gifts of Christmas
12 days featuring 12 gifts we receive because of Jesus.
Gift #7: The GIFT of Healing!
If you are a disciple of Christ you have been healed.
When Jesus first stood up to speak in a synagogue, in the same passage we explored yesterday, He read out of the writings of the prophet Isaiah “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to HEAL the brokenhearted…” Isaiah 61:1
What has caused you to be broken hearted? At the heart of every wound is a heart wounded by sin. Think about some of your most painful wounds and you will discover a cause that is opposite of God’s will.
Divorce is one of the most painful wounds. It is caused by one party being unfaithful and unloving. But in God’s Kingdom, His people are faithful. Love is the hallmark of true followers of Jesus.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:22-24)
Sexual and physical abuse are horrible crimes of hatred, control, and selfishness. But Jesus teaches to treat others as we would want to be treated. His ways are to deny ourselves and care for others.
Rejection by a friend or family member creates deep wounds. But God’s Word says we are accepted in the beloved! He accepts us with love. He says He will never leave you and never forsake you! He’s faithful. You can trust God. And His people, true believers, display the same fruit if they really are loving Him with their whole heart.
So if you’ve been broken by the sin of others ripping a hole in your heart, turn to Jesus who suffered great heart ache and rejection. He understands what you’re going through, and He knows how to make you and keep you healthy.
But what about a broken heart over our own sin and disobedience? Are you broken over how you have treated others? Jesus says you’re blessed if you’re poor in spirit.
Why is this? In order to be healed we must admit we are sick. Admitting where we have been wounded and where we have wounded others is the first step to finding help. It is then when the Great Physician can heal us and make us whole again.
In Christ you are not defined by your past sinful wounds! Paul says to ex-homosexuals, ex-alcoholics, ex-adulterers, and the ex-sexually immoral “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11)
These people were healed and no longer suffering the sickness of habitual shameful sin. Healing brings hope.
Thank Jesus for the healing He purchased for you on the Cross – by His stripes you are healed! And thank him for His resurrection power that gives us hope to live abundantly in the Spirit!
With much love in Christ,
Jeff
