As learners let us follow Dr. Jesus on his rounds.
At the very start of his action-packed book, the gospel writer Mark tells us how Jesus came home to Simon's house in Capernaum. What an honour and joy this must have been for Simon Peter.
But there was a problem. Simon's mother-in-law was sick. She was in bed with fever. So they told Jesus about her.
So many people around us are debiliatated by illness. Simon's mother-in-law would not have wanted to be in bed - and certainly not suffering from her fever.
Today with the advent of analgesics and antipyretics, most fevers are treated as minor events. Just 100 years ago this was hardly the case. One never knew what would happen over the course of the fever. Fevers were monitored carefully, with a dread should they 'linger.'
Jesus listened to those who told him about Simon's mother-in-law. In one short verse we hear: "
So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on him." (Mark 1.31).
How much of the healing that we all want to be part of is captured in those few words. As we shadow Dr. Jesus we must carefully observe every part of his therapeutic and restorative work.
He went to her. How often we expect people in need to come to us. Jesus heard. And went. He goes to the place of the problem, rather than waiting for people to appear at his darbar, at his clinic, at his convenience.
[He] took her hand. That personal touch. The touch of love. He did not wave a magic wand, but let his own hands touch hers. How much we need to learn. How quickly we ward ourselves off from people, hiding behind our desks, hiding behind our professionalisms. How much people are hungry for the loving touch. Jesus reach out and took her hand.
[He] helped her up. Jesus gives dignity and support to help Simon's mother-in-law to regain her own stance. Instead of lying supine and in feverish pain, Jesus has helped her to stand. Oh that we would do so too. How often we neglect to help people up. How quickly we can make people dependent on us and our skill sets, rather than giving people the tools to be healthy and wise on their own.
Now we see the two twin results of Jesus' actions:
The fever left her. The disease is gone. That which troubled her and incapacitated her has now left. As Christians who are in the healing profession - we know the tremendous joy when that which has troubled our friends who are ill finally departs.
... and she began to wait on him. This is the part we usually ignore. End of disease? End of story. But the healing process is not just an absence of a pathogen or the elimination of a root etiology. Healing means wholeness - and what does the person do after the illness? In the case of Simon's mother, she was able to joyfully serve - immediately! How wonderful to see a person bursting with health - health not just enjoyed by the now-well-person, but channelled into serving others. Our work of healing is to help the dear people we serve... themselves in turn serve others! And what better person to serve - than the Master Himself?
At the first tea break the welcomes continued! Feet were washed in the traditional way - and many smiles and hugs were shared as we participated in tribal culture - which mirrors the act of our Lord washing his friends' feet!
A new general secretary was welcomed! Dr. Manoj Jacob was welcomed into his new responsibility - along with Manju he takes up the challenge of leading the EMFI movement. It was a privilege to thank God for the work that Dr. Ashok Chacko has done during his 4 year stint - and we are so grateful for what Ashok and Vinita have brought to so many.
We welcomed the Holy Spirit. God spoke powerfully. Through song and word. Through speakers and sharing of testimonies. Through the same thoughts coming over and over again. Intimacy with God. Hearing His call. Sharing the joy of Jesus. Reaching out. Living the abundant life. Seeing God's Kingdom come.
We welcomed new friends - and old! The conference was a time to meet and greet - and talk and fellowship. What a blessing to be with each other. What sweet communion as we shared our thoughts (and some of our sorrows), as we explored dreams and laughed, as we discussed and opened up.
