Introduction
We know
Jesus Christ to be The Healer. Why? He caused many to become whole again. How
many? We may never be able to count them all as we have only the recorded facts
but let’s name some of the amazing things The Healer did when He walked the
earth. The Healer is able to sympathise with our weaknesses because He knows
what we feel (Hebrews 4:15). Yet, He assures us that He will
deliver us from them all (Psalm 34:19) and He will heal our land (2
Chronicles 7:14). For our light affliction, which is but
for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
(2 Corinthians 4:17).
Questions:
- Who are the
healers?
- Who are the
hurting healers?
- So, why do
we experience hurt?
- How can we
live above hurt (offense)?
The Healers
Let me share a scenario with you. There was a long queue of people coming out from the congregation, all filing out towards the altar. They all had one thing in common, they needed healing, all sorts of healing: spiritual, emotional, physical etc. They believed so much in the anointing upon the man of God; all they needed for their healing was a touch from God through him. Days later the testimonies start rolling in; the blind now sees, the lame walk, the one called barren is now an expectant mother… The man of God is filled with joy for the lives of his congregation, for the numerous testimonies the Lord has brought through him. While thanking God he couldn’t help wondering for the umpteenth time, “When would my own healing come?” Many have been healed through him, but he remains the way he is. He’s helped too many people, yet he hurts beyond compare.
Just as Jesus healed,
there are many who have been called into the healing ministry. They have become
so sought after that they have had to devote more time to seeking the face of
God. We know how Pastor Adeboye has fewer days that he eats than he fasts. Many
seek his prayers and return to testify of God’s creative miracles of healing.
There are others like him. But are these the only healers? John 14:12
Jesus The Hurting Healer
At a point in Jesus’ life,
He was the Hurting Healer, yet nobody paid attention Mark 14:32-40. The hurt became too much for him,
so he took His trusted disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane for support.
Perhaps he thought, “They just might have some words of encouragement”. He even
told them how sorrowful He was and how much He needed them to stand by Him (Vs. 34). But they had a better idea of
what to do in a cool natural weather. They were very sure Jesus didn’t actually
need them; He could take care of Himself. They didn’t imagine He could be
hurting. Even if He had a problem, he just could touch Himself and it would
disappear… Just like they had watched Him do in the case of the blind man, and
the lame man, and the woman with the issue of blood….
But Jesus was in the
garden not just weeping but sweating blood! (Luke 22:44). The King of kings
Himself was hurting. It was a trying moment for Him. Even if His disciples
couldn’t take His pain away, He must have wished they showed some concern;
check on Him once in a while to be sure He was okay and safe instead of leaving
him alone in the garden. He desperately needed company. The chosen disciples
were not too far from Him but it was as good as they were not there because
when He reached out for their help they couldn’t be reached.
Then He thought, “What
could be happening to them?” He was selfless, he was compassionate; He put His
own hurt aside and went in search of His trusted aides just to be sure they
were alright. Imagine His disappointment when He met them sleeping… Sleeping?
“You mean anyone could be sleeping on a night like this? If these three beloved
disciples could be sleeping while I’m passing through this agony, then I doubt
if anyone else would bother about Me”. He went back and kept praying but even
His father didn’t seem to hear Him. For that moment, Jesus was on His own, no
one to care. The Healer was hurting, and no one paid attention.
Let's review some questions:
But in a place not too
geographically removed from where the disciples enjoyed their sleep, what was
happening to Jesus? Jesus was hurting. Despite his agony what was on His mind?
He was concerned about the disciples. How did the disciples' action intensify
His agony? The fact that they were sleeping is what we can refer to as
abandonment; this no doubt intensified His agony. Like our people would say
OYO; on your own! How was his compassion greeted with disappointment? He looked
for them out of compassion, but he met His trusted allies sleeping, maybe even
snoring! How did God come through for Him at this hour of intense hurt? How can
you break out in blood and not be sick? It must have been grace that came
through for Him, grace strengthened Him when all else failed. When the trail
and tribulation could not be passed over, grace came through.
Who are the Hurting
Healers?
If Jesus could hurt, it
only shows that our leaders, pastors and workers (you and I) might be hurting
too. We would never know if we don’t check on them and one another from time to
time. We are all quick to put all our burdens on the leaders; some of us even
expect them to fast for our own problems! Mummy and Daddy G.O bear our burdens,
but who bears their burden? They counsel, pray, fast, make calls and send texts
to church members to ensure all is well and encourage us but who encourages
them? They come to the pulpit in their lovely suits and perfect smiles but if
only we had gone to them few minutes or hours before then, we just might have
found them crying in their own Gethsemane. If only we haven’t all believed the
lie that they are perfect and without problems, they wouldn’t need to hurt so
much. Whether laymen or ministers, we have been called to bear each other’s
burden.
How could they hurt when
they are called to heal?
They help many mend broken
hearts but who mends their own hearts? Who bothers when they have problems that
has defied solution? Is it possible that these healers have points of pain and
hurt? Is everyone so sure they are in good shape; they sure shouldn’t or
wouldn’t have problems. How could healers be hurting? Is it fathomable? But if
we pause to think… These healers are humans, is it not only normal that they
might have issues or problems too? Like Jesus’ disciples everyone comes to tap
from them, no one ever thinks about their own welfare - spiritually,
emotionally, materially or otherwise.
What can we deduce from
Jesus’ reaction at Gethsemane?
- Jesus took
no offense; He returned again and again until His hour came
- He remained
The Healer; when the ear of an enemy was chopped off he brought forth
healing
- He
surrendered himself
- He
empathized with his disciples who now have to live without a guide
- No pride was
found in Him; He punished no one
Why should you live above
hurt?
- It is
satan’s tool of manipulation and control
- It can rob
you of peace and the joy of salvation
- It can lead
to loss of relationship and consequently sickness e.g. broken heart or
depression
- It destroys
harmony and unity
- It creates a
gap between us and our greatest ally
How can we ensure that we
live above hurt as Christians – leaders, workers, members etc.?
It is essential that we
follow the example of The Healer who hurt deeply but took no offense.
How did Jesus live above
hurt? Go and do likewise...
1. He
understood that offense was part of the deal - Luke 17:1-2
2. He
knew that forgiveness is part of His DNA; it was expected of Him - Luke 17:3-4
3. He
knew who sent Him and He remained within His calling - John 7:28-29, John 18:11
4. He
was compassionate - Luke 22:50-51
5. Expectation
births disappointment. He avoided unreasonable expectations - Psalm 62:5-6
6. He
put His absolute trust in God, not the disciples - Jeremiah 17:5, Psalm 62:7-8
7. When
they failed Him, He knew God’s grace was available - 2 Corinthians 12:9
8. He
knew the arm of flesh was bound to fail Him - Psalm 146:3-4, 2 Chronicles 32:8
9. He
focused on the higher calling not division - 1 Corinthians 1:10
10. He
understood that man was imperfect due to constant war against the flesh - Romans 7:18-19
11. He
was not self-motivated to take on the role of judge - Psalm 75:5-7
12. He
was humble and meek - Matthew
11:29, Romans 12:3
13. He
understood that there was neither competition nor comparison - 2 Cor. 10:12, Romans 12:10
14. He
was obedient to the death on the cross and all it includes - Philippians 2:8
15. He
did not get entangled in the offense of other disciplines - Luke 22:47-50
16. He
knew this was his personal problem, so He focused on the one who could help
- Isaiah 26:3
17. He
put on the armour of light, despite the prevailing darkness - 13:12
18. He
did not contradict God's Word - 1
Chronicles 16:22, Psalm 105:14-15
Some years ago when I was
out of employment, I said to God, all these ministers are so comfortable and
none of them have deemed it fit to offer me a job or something from which I can
earn an income. And God immediately said, “They do not see that you have a
need”. At that point my voice went up, how could they not see! And God said,
“Because you are covered in my glory. But if you’d like them to see, then I
would take away my glory and they will see.” Brethren, I wasn’t wearing torn
clothes, no one saw whether I had gari for breakfast or mixed okro with ground
pepper for dinner.
A lady raised up her hand
at a breakfast meeting at which I was ministering in 2010, she said “You are
not married, how then can you tell us about marriage!” The Omolola before would
have ordered her out of the meeting, how dare you! My people say you don’t
count nine fingers in front of the owner (I hope I interpreted that well). But
I answered as the Holy Spirit gave me utterance. I said, “I am doing what God
says to do and applying the same skills I am teaching you; if it works, we will
all see the difference within a year. Brethren, within a year I was married.
Your problem is not the
pastor’s problem. Jesus did not get upset when the disciples chose not to be
there for Him. If the pastor is led to solve your problem, good; if not,
remember Psalm
27:10-14 When my father and my mother
forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. If someone abuses you with your challenge, go and cry to
God, don’t bury yourself in pain, hurt and self-pity.
When someone without a car
comes to celebrate the joy of a new car with you, that is not the time to say,
“Your own too will come.” If the same thing is said to you when you visit
someone at the hospital, how will you feel? When my Mum passed, my brother was
told, “Welcome to the club” and he responded, “Did I apply?” Some called me and
without knowledge of her age said congratulations. For what I asked? It got to
a point, I just switched off my phone. But there were many who showed the love
of God in more ways than I could imagine; these were the ones that lifted my
spirit. Brethren let’s share joy and bear burdens, let’s mourn with those who
mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice without any air of insensitivity.
Conclusion
Many are hurting and we
can help them heal by being there for them. We may not be able to take their
pain away but we can lighten their burdens (Galatians 6:2) instead
of being wrapped in our own hurt. A text, a call, a visit, maybe even a little
gift would go a long way to show those who stand in the gap for us that we
care. Let them know you are praying for them, that they are not alone or on
their own. If Jesus was not a superman, then no one could ever be. The
healers are hurting too, be a healer to them.
This teaching was
inspired by a much shorter version published in the RCCG Balm of Gilead
newsletter by Olufikayo Famuyiwa in
2005. Other versions have since been written by Omolola. This latest
version was used as a Bible
Study teaching handout by Mrs. Omolola Omoteso-Famuyiwa, a minister who is
passionate about sharing God's words for the healing of others.
