Wesley Church

People Blessing People

Daily Devotional June 19

And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you according to your faith.” And the servant was healed in that hour.
      – Matthew 8:13, NRSV
Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
      – Matthew 15:28, NRSV

It has been nearly 100 days… nearly 100 days of “at a distance,” nearly 100 days of doing things “remotely.” Livestream worship. Zoom meetings and Bible studies. FaceTime family gatherings. Social distancing. Online ordering and contactless delivery. Nearly 100 days of “at a distance.”

As a church, as “people blessing people,” we may wonder: can we really be who we are “at a distance”? Can we really truly bless people from a distance? Can we be “people blessing people” at a distance? Does that even work?

And then I page through my Bible, through the Gospel of Matthew, and happen upon two healing stories… two remote healing stories. In Matthew 8, a Roman centurion comes to Jesus, asking for his servant to be healed. The servant himself never appears in the story, never appears before Jesus. And yet, Jesus heals him… from a distance. Then in Matthew 15, a “Canaanite” woman comes to Jesus, asking for her daughter to be healed. The daughter (like the servant) never appears in the story, never appears before Jesus. And yet, Jesus heals her, too… from a distance.

Sometimes Jesus’ healing comes through physical contact and healing touch… and sometimes Jesus’ healing comes via contactless delivery.

Jesus blesses from a distance. Why not us?

May their music uplift your spirits this morning. And as it does, may you remember:

Our God is bigger than coronavirus. 
Our vision is bigger than coronavirus, too. 
We are people blessing people. 
We are Wesley Church.   

Blessings,

Pastor Candy

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