The online KPPI (Praise and Divine Healing Service) was held again on Thursday, November 19, 2020. The service was a live-streaming program that was aired through Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. The Word of God was delivered by Rev. Jacob B. Sumbayak, taken from Luke 18: 35-43 about Jesus healing a blind man near Jericho.
“Jesus, Son of David, Have Mercy on Me!”
This Word of God tells us about something extraordinary. A blind man whose profession was a beggar named Bartimaeus, but this Bartimaeus was not an ordinary blind man because when he found out that it was Jesus the Nazareth who was passing by, suddenly he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He knew that Jesus who was passing by could heal many people. Not only did Bartimaeus know that Jesus was a healer, but he immediately called out that Jesus was the Son of David.
From his words, we know that he had faith that Jesus was a descendant of David or the Son of David. Indeed, at that time, everyone was waiting for the Messiah, the Savior, who would deliver His people from sin. The Messiah was prophesied by the prophet Nathan about 1000 years before Jesus was born. The prophet Nathan said to David that “Your descendant shall establish your kingdom forever.” (2 Sam 7:16 – red). From there, the Israelites knew that a Messiah would come from the descendant of David. This Messiah would atone for the sins of mankind. This Messiah would provide a way of salvation for His people.
The angel said in Matthew 1:21, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” When Mary and Joseph got engaged, Mary was already pregnant. The angel came to Joseph in a dream and said that Mary would give birth to a son and Joseph must name Him Jesus, because He would save His people from their sins. According to the prophecy of the Prophet Isaiah that the descendant of David would be born of a virgin, namely a Son and his name was Jesus. So, there were two things that must be fulfilled about a Messiah: He must be a descendant of David and He must be born of a virgin.
The blind Bartimaeus understood very well that Jesus was the Savior. He was able to heal him. In fact, not only healing, but Jesus would be able to provide forgiveness for him. So, he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He really showed his faith.
Jesus then stopped hearing his screams. Jesus knew that Bartimaeus had faith. Bartimaeus believed that He was the Son of David, that He was the Messiah, the descendant of David who would be the King who will rule forever, who will forgive the sins of His people, and who will heal His people.
Bartimaeus’ faith was answered. He could not pursue Jesus because he was blind, but he had strength, that was his voice. So, he cried out with all his might, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Even though people forbade him to shout, he did not become discouraged, but he cried out even more. His belief was paid off. Jesus stopped and asked, “What do you want Me to do for you?” He said to Jesus, “Lord, that I may receive my sight!” Finally, not only did Bartimeus’ eyes see, but his faith had saved him, and his sins were forgiven by God.
Anyone Who Believes in Jesus Will Have Eternal Life
Jesus is the Messiah who came down from Heaven, who was sent by Father in Heaven to come to this world. The Messiah is Jesus Himself. John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. This only begotten Son, who is called Jesus, is the Messiah who was promised to David that from his descendant, he would rule and establish his kingdom forever. This means that if there is a kingdom forever, it means that the King is eternal, and who is eternal, except Jesus himself? He came so that those who believe in Him will not perish, but may have eternal life.
What did Jesus do on earth? He died on the cross to atone for our sins because we couldn’t pay for our sins. Believe in Him and your sins will be forgiven and be saved. The Word of God in Isaiah 53: 5 says, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
Who was stabbed for our rebellion? Jesus. Who was crushed for our crimes? Jesus. Who received the chastisement, flogging, and torment so that we may be saved? Jesus. Who had the stripes? Jesus. It is by the stripes of Jesus that we are healed.
If you believe in Him, not only you can be healed, but most importantly, you can receive forgiveness of your sins because His blood was shed on the cross. He became the sacrifice, was slain so that we are saved. He shed His blood so that by His blood, we could be washed, our sins are forgiven, we could be sanctified. Will you believe and accept Him as your Lord and Savior? Just like Bartimaeus, you can cry out, “Jesus the Son of David, save me, forgive me, give the assurance of salvation for me.”
By His stripes, We Are Healed
If you are sick, Jesus has the power to heal the sick until this day. The important thing is to have faith in Jesus. Jesus bore it, as said in Isaiah 53: 5. Before He was crucified, He was scourged and flogged, but by His stripes, we are healed.
Whatever the illnesses that you are suffering, be it Covid-19, liver cancer, or cancer in other parts of the body, believe that all can be healed by Jesus. Lay your hand on the part of the body that is sick and let’s pray. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13: 8). [YF/HN/EM]