Playing Doctor

Imagine finding a cure for all diseases, that is easy to distribute to the sick.

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that when the handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, their diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.  Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims."  Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this.  But the evil spirit said to them in reply, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?"  Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered them all, and so overpowered them that they fled out of the house naked and wounded. - Acts 19:11-16

Yesterday, I got my flu shot.  It was not as simple as being toughed by a handkerchief or apron, and it didn't cure me of any illness I already have, but it is a preventive measure.

Hopefully, I will not get the flu.

But what if we all had a special item stashed away that would actually cure us when we get sick?  How great would that be?

But today's reading has a twist.  Those who are not known by the evil spirits cannot command them.

What is the equivalent in our modern day world? 

If we are talking about curing the sick, we probably believe a good deal of medical training is needed.  We don't believe diseases are evil spirits, but in some ways they sure do act like them, don't they?

We learn the biomechanics of disease, but we really don't always understand why some get sick and others don't, so the idea that something spirit is at work is still intriguing to many.

If we look at the story in terms of spiritual healing, we can see that the message may be to stick with the true teaching and don't try to make it your own.

But the failure of the sons of Sceva may dissuade us from trying to help others, and that is not the intent.  We should be carrying the healing message of the Gospel to those who are spiritually weak or dying.

If we don't, they may face difficult and frightening times alone, and they may even succumb to real illnesses without the hope of faith.

So, we don't want to play doctor, but we do want to bring the handkerchief or the apron.  And we can do that by being there for those who are suffering.

And who knows?  It may bring about a change.

More to come...