Dear Neighbor,
This morning I read Matthew 8-9: Jesus healed a leper and was amazed by a Roman centurion’s faith. Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law of fever and healed many others who were demon possessed and had illnesses. Jesus cast out demons from two men and the demons went into a herd of swine. Jesus healed a paralytic in the sight of many Jews as a testimony to them, that he had the authority of God to forgive sins. After calling Matthew he held a party in his home in Jesus honor but the Pharisees questioned his being with sinners. Jesus said: “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.” (Mt. 9:12, NASB) And he told them that the Father desires compassion and not sacrifice. Jesus was questioned about religious ritual and he did many miracles if healing out of compassion. Then he sent out the twelve to preach the kingdom of heaven, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleans the lepers, and cast out demons.
Nursing began with the Christian teaching about having compassion for the sick. We are to have compassion no matter how they became sick or injured. If we only have compassion for those who are righteous then we would not be caring for any. We are in a crisis at the the hospital that I work at. Most of the people sick did not take the vaccine and are now very sick. We who are called by the Lord to work as nurses are called to give compassionate care to everyone. If someone is non-compliant we give compassion and care for them. If someone is poor and can not pay for their hospitalization we have compassion and care for them. Not only are we called to care for those who are sick in the hospital but we are called to have compassion on our community and educate them on how to avoid illness, even if they will not listen to us. As a Christian we are to preach the kingdom of heaven, even if others do not hear or listen to us. So, preach, saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand and give compassionate care for the sick.
Michael Peek
Your Servant for Jesus’ Sake
2 Corinthians 4:5
