Are you willing to carry?

Devotional for September 22-28, 2008


“53) When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. 54) As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. 55) They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56) And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.” Mark 6: 53-56

He had arrived. Although the path was slated to go to Bethsaida, He was there in Gennesarat, a city known for its vast fertility and beauty. Once His boat was anchored and He began to go about, the people knew Him. They knew that Christ was in their presence. For they had heard of His miracles and the signs and wonders that followed Him wherever He went. Immediately, the people began to run. They went to get their sick, their wounded, their hurting to only place these people in the path of Christ.

I imagine them carrying bed after bed to the city where they heard of Christ presence. These people knew that God had the ability to heal all of the sick, but they had to get the people there. They stopped working, stopped washing their clothes, stop doing whatever it was to make sure that their sick would have the chance to get to Christ. Placing the bodies of the afflicted in the marketplace, they cried out for the sick on their behalf to Christ. These people were not concerned with their own cares, but had a heart for those that were sick.

All around us the hurting, the sick, the wounded are there. Some are afflicted with illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, or fibroids. Others are wounded from divorce, verbally abusive parents, physically abusive spouses, or a broken heart. Then there are those hurting from callous words spoken in frustration, nonchalant attitudes of those who desire not to get involved, or from the body of believers who refuse to help. Yes, these people surround us as believers every day. So what are we to do about it?

As believers, we are called to pray and intercede on behalf of those that are hurting. When we enter our private times of prayer, intercession is our way of carrying the sick. We are able to prayer for salvation of the lost, restoration of the weary, healing of the sick, and so much more. This requires us to get outside of ourselves and to have the faith to believe in Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our healer. We are called to share the Word of God in our homes, our jobs, our grocery stores, wherever. When we take the Word to the people this is also our way of carrying the sick. Please take the time to pray for others, to share the Gospel of Christ, to uplift those who are weighted down. For truly, our God is able to heal.

Prayer
My Lord and Savior, I am truly thankful that you are Jehovah Rapha, the Lord my healer. Thank you for healing me of the broken places in my life. Continue to mold me and purge me of those areas that hinder me in my walk with you. Thank you that in spite of the brokenness, the pain, the discomfort, you not only heal but you also restore. I pray that you may bless all those who interceded for me time and time again. Help me to have a heart for your people and for those who are sick, hurting and wounded. Help me to get pass my own selfish desires and seek to carry the sick to you. Strengthen all those that are spiritual intercessors. Lord I love how you love me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Suggested Weekly Reading
Monday..............Mark 6: 53-56
Tuesday ............Matthew 14: 34-36
Wednesday ......Acts 5: 12-16
Thursday .........Mark 2: 1-12
Friday ...............Numbers 15: 38-40
Saturday ..........Psalm 9:10
Sunday .............Matthew 9: 20-26

Application
Take the time in prayer to pray for others whom you may know that are unsaved, hurting, sick, or wounded in any area each day this week.

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