Christ the Healer

Yesterday my wife and I were at Peacehaven Nursing Home and as usual to minister to the folk. Here are our people - the sick, the lonely, the bed ridden, the wheelchair bound, yes people in need. That evening when I came home, I sang the old hymn "At even ere the sun was set, the sick O Lord around Thee lay."

The Bible records many incidents of Jesus going round healing people. We don't seem to sing it the old hymn referred to these days; maybe due to the fact we don't hold Sunday evening Salvation Meeting.

At even, ere the sun was set,
the sick, O Lord, around thee lay;
O, in what diverse pains they met!
O, with what joy they went away!

Once more 'tis eventide, and we,
oppressed with various ills, draw near;
what if thy form we cannot see?
We know and feel that thou art here.

O Savior Christ, our woes dispel;
for some are sick, and some are sad;
and some have never loved thee well,
and some have lost the love they had;

and some have found the world is vain,
and yet from the world they break not free;
And some have friends who give them pain,
yet have not sought a friend in thee.

And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,
for none are wholly free from sin;
And they who fain would serve thee best
are conscious most of wrong within.

O Savior Christ, thou too art man;
thou has been troubled, tempted, tried;
thy kind but searching glance can scan
the very wounds that shame would hide.

Thy touch has still its ancient power.
no word from thee can fruitless fall;
hear, in this solemn evening hour,
and in thy mercy heal us all.  Henry Twells

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Matthew 8: 3

When Jesus came into Peter's home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her. Matthew 8: 14-15

When He entered the house, the blind men came up to Him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, saying, "It shall be done to you according to your faith." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them: "See that no one knows about this!"…Matthew 9: 28-30

Lord thank You, Your touch has still its ancient power. You are the same yesterday, today and in days to come. Lord, touch me again, Lord, touch me again. Amen