Soul Wounds
When the topic of the Bible and healing comes up, my natural impulse is to recall Luke 4:23. "Physician, heal thyself."
Jesus, after being tempted by Satan, teaches in His hometown synagogue at Nazareth. At first, things go well and listeners are amazed at His gracious words. Objections soon crop up. How did the son of Joseph learn all this? Then they remind him of His humanity and lowly birth. Aren't you just the son of a carpenter and your mother Mary, sitting right there?
Those insults had to have hurt. While Jesus was the Son of God, He was still human. These were his family, friends, and neighbors. It's often said, "Familiarity breeds contempt." His loving heart surely sustained some emotional wounds that day.
The kicker in the sermon comes next, offered by Jesus Himself. He knew exactly what each of them thought in their heart.
"Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’"
Basically, show us something or we won't believe. The very people that had watched Him grow up, knew His goodness, could not recall a single sin He'd ever committed, heard His prayers in synagogue, —were too close to the situation. They had made their minds up.
They couldn't see the Son of God standing before them, pointing to a prophecy He had just fulfilled.
A good doctor would be able to heal himself before trying it on a patient, wouldn't he? How dare Jesus not perform miraculous healings like He had elsewhere! Who did He think He was?
Jesus reminded them Elijah was sent to one widow when there were many other widows in Israel.
Not the answer they wanted.
They were so mad they carried him to the cliff at the edge of town with the intent of throwing Him off. Somehow, Jesus calmly walked through the crowd and left.
Insults and criticism from strangers don't cut as deeply as those from friends and family. Zechariah 3:6 hints at this, in a messianic prophecy pointing to the Crucifixion and the physical wounds Jesus would suffer. Not to mention taking on the enormous soul burden of the sins of the world.
Jesus's response to soul wounds is remarkable. It's something we can copy.
1. Silence. While Jesus spoke to Pilate, He remains silent before Herod Antipas. The chief priests and scribes provide a nasty chorus of accusations. Jesus says nothing. Luke 23:9-10
2. Logic. After Jesus heals a demoniac, the Pharisees accuse Him of casting the demon out by the power of Satan. Jesus points out— if that were true, a house divided against itself isn't going to last long. (Can't you just see their faces, like "DUH?") Luke 11:14-23.
3. Wisdom. Pharisees compare the ascetic ways of John the Baptist, to Jesus's eating and drinking, and accuse Him of being a drunk and a glutton (punishable by death in Deuteronomy 21!). He points out– wisdom is shown by her results. The Pharisees have refused baptism after hearing both men. Luke 7:35
4. Ask a question. The Pharisees and scribes think Jesus is a blasphemer for telling the paralyzed man his sins were forgiven, but don't say anything. Jesus asks is it easier to forgive sins or heal? He heals the man in front of them and "they all were amazed." Luke 5: 17-26
5. Use Scripture. Don't bash with your Bible, but gently and appropriately point out
"If someone asks, ‘What are these wounds on your body?’ they will answer, ‘The wounds I was given at the house of my friends.’" -- Zechariah 3:6
Question for Reflection:
1. Please take a moment to reflect on Jesus's response to soul wounds above. Have you ever considered applying these types of responses when you are struggling to find healing? If not, why not?
