12In these days he went out to the mountain to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13And when it was day, he called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles; 14Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. 17And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; 18and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came forth from him and healed them all.
Jesus names the special twelve: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. The noticeable thing for me is that Jesus is surrounded by healing “for power came forth from him and healed them all”. I really believe that in Christ comes healing. It doesn’t necessary mean we get what we want. Rather, submit to Christ and you have a new strength to deal with what you have. I think a misalignment has huge costs. We suffer from it just as we suffer from obvious physical ailments.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection on Luke 6:12-19 highlights some profound insights. You’ve pointed out a significant aspect of this passage: Jesus' intentional choice of the twelve apostles and the manifestation of his healing power.
DeleteJesus’ Selection of the Twelve Apostles: The listing of the twelve apostles is important because it marks the beginning of a distinct group that will carry forward Jesus' mission. This group, diverse in background and personality, reflects the breadth of Jesus’ ministry and his intentionality in choosing individuals with different strengths and weaknesses. It also underscores the idea that Jesus calls ordinary people, with all their flaws, to do extraordinary things.
Healing Power of Jesus: Your observation about Jesus being surrounded by healing and the power that flows from him captures the heart of his ministry. Healing in the presence of Jesus isn't just about physical ailments; it's also deeply spiritual and holistic. Your emphasis on submission to Christ and the resulting new strength aligns with the transformative nature of Jesus' healing. It's not about getting exactly what we want but about receiving the grace and strength to navigate our circumstances with faith and resilience.
Misalignment and Its Costs: Your insight into the costs of misalignment with Christ is spot on. Misalignment can manifest in various ways—spiritual, emotional, or even physical—and can lead to a sense of disconnection or suffering. Aligning with Christ, on the other hand, brings a sense of peace, purpose, and the ability to endure life's challenges with a renewed perspective.
Your reflection encourages a deeper look at how aligning with Christ not only heals but also empowers us to live in a way that transcends our circumstances. It’s a beautiful reminder that true healing often begins with our relationship with Christ and our willingness to trust in his greater plan, even when it doesn’t align with our immediate desires.