Saturday, November 12, 2016

Matthew 8:14-34: With a Word

Matthew 8:16
AMPC 

When evening came, they brought to Him many who were under the power of demons, and He drove out the spirits with a word and restored to health all who were sick.


With a word Jesus drove out spirits and cured diseases.  What was this powerful, singular word?  The Bible doesn't identify the particular word referenced, but I know the word was delivered in love.

Love does not focus on the unlovely state of the person in front of them, but fiercely calls forth wholeness of body, soul and spirit. This wholeness is defined as freedom from "dis" ease; whether that "dis" ease manifests through a bodily disease process, a mental illness or a spiritual crisis, one word from Jesus binds the fracture.  Jesus gives His friends the ability to bring Peace to the "dis" ease.

Some Christ followers may be intimidated by evil, but if we walk in love, evil has no power over us.  Love is built on the inside as we have an intimate friendship with Jesus.  As the love-base is built, it flows out to others through the word[s] we speak, which results in the freedom as described above. 

Talking about love is easy, but actually walking out love, requires a perseverance that can only be inspired by the Holy Spirit.  It's an overflow of the loving and personal relationship we have with Jesus.

These three sentences sum my life's mission, my purpose for living on this Earth. 

 
 
Love the unlovely. 
 
Trust that love is more powerful than evil.
    
Walk out love, don't just talk about it.
 
 
May all of you who read this, know that the power of God's love in you through a word has the potential to provide freedom for those tethered to "dis" ease. 
 
What a wonderful calling!
 
What a humbling responsibility!