When Jesus began His ministry, the people were “dwelling in darkness.”  Most people, just like today, were in rebellion against God.  They resisted His work. They would not hear His Word.  They did all manner of evil in the sight of God and deserved His wrath.

But, God is merciful.  Just at the right time, God sent His Son born of woman to redeem those imprisoned in the darkness of sin.  By His cross, Jesus Christ shined the light of grace and truth on people to dispel the darkness of their sin.

The Word of Christ is light.  He called people to repent of their sins and to follow Him.  Matthew 4:23-24 (ESV) says, “And [Jesus] went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.  So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and he healed them.”

The light of Christ heals all types of diseases – body, soul and mind.  Diseases of the body also affect the soul and mind.  If your body is sick, you may question God’s love and provision for you.

Mentally you may be run down.  And, if you have spiritual distress, you can bet that your body and mind will be diseased.  People who worry a lot suffer more cancer and heart attacks.

Are you suffering in body, soul and/or mind?  Do you want to be healed?  Do you agree that you are a sinner and need the forgiveness won for you by Jesus Christ on the cross?  Then, hear the good news that “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

They brought people to Jesus and He healed “every disease and affliction.”

Jesus healed many physical and mental diseases then.  He still does today through the power of His Word, Sacraments and prayer.  But, eventually all of our bodies die.  The most important healing is the forgiveness of your sins, because sin kills and condemns eternally.

No doctor can heal your sinful heart, only the Great Physician Jesus Christ can cure you by His precious blood washing you clean.

In every time of trouble, illness, and despair; come to the Lord Jesus Christ.  He heals you!  Amen.

Pastor Raymond Van Buskirk, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Baytown, TX www.rclbaytown.org