Day 233 - FOUNDATION STONES IN A YEAR

by King's Cross Training September 7, 2022

“At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.’ And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”

Luke 4: 40 - 44, NIV, emphasis added

Not only did Jesus lay hands on people for the purpose of blessing, but also for the purpose of healing. And what an example we have today: Jesus starts healing people at sunset and he continues healing people through the night until, at daybreak, he understandably sought some quiet time! Jesus was so passionate about the laying on of hands for healing that he wouldn’t stop until the morning - he carried on healing all night.

What I will show you in the coming days is more examples of laying on of hands for healing, but for today can you take on board that just because Jesus did this then you as his follower also can and should? Tomorrow is Sunday and maybe you have an opportunity to lay hands of fellow believers for healing and blessing. Or maybe you even have a more urgent need right in your own home. Maybe you can do both. Either way, spend some time asking God for opportunities to lay on hands for healing and blessing.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I long to be passionately devoted to the things that you are passionately devoted to. Will you please send me opportunities to bless others by laying on hands for blessing and healing.

Would you like to do this devotion with the family?

Start today by asking the children about their bedtimes. What is the latest they’ve been allowed to stay up? Have they ever stayed up so late that they couldn’t stay awake any longer? Would they be able to stay up all night right through to the next morning? If you stayed up the whole night, what would you stay up for - a party, a movie?
Ask one of the children to read today’s reading. Did you notice that Jesus started healing people at sunset and continued until dawn? Imagine working through the night!
Tell the children that Jesus was so excited about laying his hands on people for them to get well that he stayed up all night to heal them. He could have told them to come back the next day - they would still be sick - but he loved the laying on of hands so much that he wouldn’t stop until he was completely exhausted.
Finish by praying together and lead younger children. If the prayer above is too complex for children use the one below:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to meet all our needs and making us well. Thank you that we can also lay hands on people and ask You to heal them and make them well. Help me to be someone who brings your healing wherever I go.