The Gospel of Mark in our daily devotional touches the painful reality of our lives. God wants to help you. Illness knows neither time nor hour. It strikes the moment the body is unable to resist.
Devotional for Today, January 15
He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. (full text at Mark 3:1-6)
It was a weekend in the synagogue in Capernaum. Jesus was there too. But he was not allowed to help. He had no right to help. But why?
“Sorry, that’s the rule” was made clear to Jesus and all the people gathered there.
Devotional for every day here: Daily Devotional
It was Saturday, the Sabbath. Since the officials had defined healing as work, healing on Saturday was forbidden. A man with a paralyzed arm could not be helped because “these are the rules.”
God Wants to Help People
But Jesus is neither a Pharisee nor an official. He is the Son of God and sees situations through God’s eyes.
Therefore, he cannot do anything other than help that unfortunate man right now. And so it just so happened that the day was the Sabbath.
It is on this holy day that Jesus makes God’s words real: “I am the Lord and your healer” (Exodus 15:26)
God Wants to Help You
When you read this passage from Mark’s Gospel, you can be sure that God will help you when you are sick because God wants life to flourish.
He stands with you in that difficult hour and strengthens you.
Even when a person’s life is ending and he is dying, God is there. He immediately helps those who leave this world and hope to enter the Kingdom of God.
You Want to Help
It is also important to remember that each of us is called to love our neighbor. Therefore, as disciples of Jesus, we can also be of excellent service in helping the sick in their suffering. Jesus says clearly about this: “Whatever you did to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did to me.”
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the helper of the sick, the comforter of the suffering, and the healer of wounds. Help us always to trust in your divine help in our hour of need. Help me not to lose hope and inner strength.
Bless the Christian communities so that their members may find in themselves the love and goodwill to help the suffering and the sick. Especially our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing health problems may receive help, intercession, and support from their communities. Heal us and protect us from all calamities, O Lord. Amen.
Also read: Devotional for January 14
