Scripture
29Jesus returned to the Sea of Galilee and climbed a hill and sat down. 30A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all. 31The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel. Matthew 15:29-31
Observation
“He healed them all”. This really caught my attention this morning. Not just some, not just a few, he healed them all. Jesus, our Great Physician, had come to heal those who knew they were sick rather than spend time trying argue with those who thought themselves healthy. In contrast to the religious leaders of His day, Jesus wasn’t just playing a part, He was actually walking out what He declared knew was true. As a result of these miracles “they praised the God of Israel.” Paul makes it clear that miracles are often the proof or the validity of the word being preached “4We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 5For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you.” (1 Thess. 1:4-5) “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” (1 Cor. 4:20)
Application
Recently I was asked to participate in a faith-based movie called “The Miracle At Manchester”. They needed me to play the roll of Father Martin who had led the student body in prayer at Cathedral Catholic High School in Del Mar, CA. Brycen Newman had received the fatal diagnosis of an inoperable cancerous brain tumor. He was only 15 and had been in great health and involved in sports at the school. Over a 1000 students came together one day in the bleachers at Manchester Field and laid hands on Brycen and prayed for his healing. In that moment Brycen felt warm all over his body and by faith said, “It is done.” And it was! The next day they went to the hospital and he was completely healed. A medically verified miracle right here in San Diego! Now, 6 years later here was Brycen in full health sitting among a crowd of students re-enacting that miracle moment (see the video of this moment here). Here I was in my clerical collar leading them in prayer for the camera. In the middle of this the parents who’s kids still attend told me the school has sadly moved away from these kind of spiritual activities and has actually become increasingly secular. I was so grieved to hear this. Especially when I realized that my heart can tend to drift away from contending for the miraculous as well. I’m almost at the one year mark of almost dying from Covid double pneumonia. I had hundreds of people agreeing for a five day miracle and God healed me (see the video of this moment here). Immediately after my healing I had the faith to move mountains and would jump at the chance to pray for anyone who was sick. Now, almost a year later, I was acting the part for a movie, but did I still believe, did I still contend as I had then? Was I a faith actor or acting in faith?
Prayer
Jesus, I was asking You why I was a part of this movie? I realized it was not just to get the story out, but to remember this Christian life is not an act. I repent for not walking in the authority You have given me. I don’t need a clerical collar to believe for the impossible because Your Spirit lives in me. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. You healed then and You want to heal again. You healed me. Let me be willing to look ridiculous and believe for the impossible even if I don’t see it happen immediately.
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