Getting Over Sickness

A sick man begged Jesus, "If you want to, you can heal me." Jesus felt sorry for him and said, "I do want to. Be healed." And the man was! Jesus asked him not to tell anyone, but the man couldn't help it and told everybody. Then Jesus got so famous, He couldn't even go into a town without being mobbed.

This is the season for getting sick. Lots of kids sniffle through colds or stay home with stomach viruses. And every time you get sick, you'd probably give anything to feel better immediately!

If you're that miserable just because of a cold, think of all the people in the world who are seriously sick for a long time. 
They can get really desperate to be healthy again. 

Jesus met one of those people in this week's Gospel (Mark 1:40-45). The man was worn out from being sick for so long - and then, just by asking Jesus sincerely for help, he was suddenly well again! 

The first day you feel better after being sick is like starting life again. You remember how great it is to breathe without a stuffy nose; you appreciate food that made you sick a few days ago. Everything seems wonderful, just because you're not sick.

The man Jesus healed was even more excited. He felt better for the first time in years, and he couldn't resist sharing that with every single person he met! 

That made Jesus' life more difficult, since He couldn't travel freely any more; Jesus became like a movie star, mobbed by crowds who wanted help or just to be near the guy who could do miracles.

But Jesus probably didn't get too angry at the man who had been healed. Even though the man disobeyed Jesus' request to keep quiet, Jesus knew what it was like to feel healthy after being sick. Who wouldn't want to rejoice and tell the world, "I feel good!"

(02/12/09)