“Jesus continued going around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Matthew 9:35-36 (CSB)
This is an interesting passage to include in an Advent reading plan. It seems healing is the common theme for the verses today. In this 9th chapter of Matthew, Jesus addresses people who are affected by paralysis, death, bleeding, blindness, and muteness/demon possession.
Can we believe that this Baby, lying all but helpless in a feeding trough, will one day give miraculous help to people struggling with all forms of illness and pain? That the One heralded by the shepherds will compassionately give His life for all shepherdless sheep?
His coming means every malady and every ailment will be addressed. It means the Lord who is our Shepherd will go after every lost sheep "until he finds it" (Luke 15:4). It means there is truly and ultimately a reason for hope. It is a good reason, indeed the best, because it inaugurates a Kingdom that is good news, indeed the best news ever.
Photo credit: Zoe Lim