HEALING THE BROKEN HEARTED AND WOUNDED-PREACHED BY REV PRABHTA THAPA ON FEB 4,2007

We are facing one of the momentous times in human history. Millions of the earth’s inhabitants are bewildered. A turbulent period of natural and man made disasters. One of the most recent scares to hit humanity- the dreadful disease “AIDS” is causing growing consternation in all parts of the world. There is a challenge to get involved in a meaningful healing ministry.

Henry Noumen said:- “Our life is full of brokenness- broken relationship, broken promises, broken expectations. How can we live with that brokenness without become bitter and resentful except by returning again and again to God’s faithful presence in our life”

The theme for this morning is “HEALING THE BROKEN HEARTED AND WOUNDED”.

Is 65:20 "No longer will there be in it an infant {who lives but a few} days, Or an old man who does not live out his days; For the youth will die at the age of one hundred And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred Will be {thought} accursed.”

The prophet envisaged new creation where children will no longer die in infancy and all people will live out their life span. We believe that these prophecies are fulfilled from the times of Jesus ministry.

Luke 4:18 "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,

Luke 4:19 “TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."

STATISTICS IN INDIA

Q 2 million children below 5 years die every year in India

Q Millions of girl children never get the opportunity to see the light of the day because of female feticide.

Meaningful healing ministry should work towards the new world that the prophet envisioned.In the Old Testament the prophet looked for new creation and a new world order in the future.

In the New Testament Jesus right from the beginning of His ministry on the earth stood for the justice and peace for the marginalized, healed the sick and ushered in to Kingdom of God in the earth. He declared the year that He begin His ministry as year of God’s favor (year of jubilee). Jesus responded to the needs of the people without delaying.

Are we addressing or responding especially the needs of the people especially those who are suffering? Or Are trying to pacify people by saying that their problems will be solved in the future?

• GENUINE HEALING MINISTRY IS THE NEED OF THE HOUR. When I talk about healing it is not just physical healing but in its wholeness i.e. Body, soul, and Spirit. In an era where injustice, discrimination, frustration, worry, confusion we are challenged to rediscover the healing ministry that was inaugurated by the ministry of Jesus 2007 years back when He said "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,” (Luke 4:18).

Genuine healing is neither faith healing, nor mere establishing Christian or mission hospitals where the vulnerable and deprived cannot afford our “Christian care”. Genuine ministry has to be pro-poor and should reach out to the marginalized and the vulnerable.

• HEALING THE BROKEN AND WOUNDED IS A BIBLICAL MANDATE. - Luke 10:30-37 The parable of Good Samaritan makes the point very clear. If one neglects the person in need, one cannot find God’s favor. In comparison to worship, social and family responsibilities, helping even a stranger in pain and agony is appreciated by Jesus in this parable. If we look around us many are struggling like the person who was hit half dead by the robbers. Some because of their illness, many because of poverty and ‘outcast’ status, illiteracy, debts…………….. No excuse can justify us from escaping any such situation. If we do not take up these challenges .we cannot even dream to be anywhere near the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.

We have people around us who do not have the resources for one meal a day, to send their children to schools or to eat sufficient medical attention. People are victimized and even killed because they belong to a different caste or ethnic origin ( Ethnic killing in Upper Assam) Our society is populated by misguided young people, over burdened parents, unsupportive spouses, broken families, neglected senior citizens, and people suffering with emotional and relational crisis.

What do we do with the broken and neglected lot in our communities? The challenge for us today is to increase our “sense- ability” in order to discern the struggles and pain of the suffering people. We as the people of faith have enough theological insights and practical information but are slack in our response and reaction to the needs of the community around us.

• EVERYONE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE HEALING MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST: The unique strength of healing ministry of Jesus is that everyone can contribute toward it in whatever way he/ she can. Because to Jesus what is important is feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, visiting the sick, clothing naked and visiting the poor. (Matt 25:35 - 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me {something} to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me {something} to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;

Matt 25:36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.')

We may not be able to heal the whole world but let’s do our part sincerely.

Is 58:6 "Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke?

Is 58:7 "Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house;

The prophets of the Old Testament stressed the fact that the concern for the poor was something central to doing the will of God, that pleased God more than the observances of religious rituals. Since poverty is very often the result of exploitation and injustice, it is God’s will that the various structures of injustice, low wages for work, bonded laborers etc. The Letter of James reminds us that “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of {our} God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, {and} to keep oneself unstained by the world.” (James 1:27)

Holistic healing then implies that each person must be treated equally and healing must be not only of the body but also of the social, mental and spiritual situation of a person

However, as God has called us to bring healing to those who are emotionally wounded. Each of us experience emotional wounds and constant healing has to take place so that the healing can flow to others who are in need.

Ps 32:3 ¶ When I kept silent {about my sin,} my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long. We see that the bottled up feelings affect the body. In Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.

Being silent and not accepting or talking about the problems to God or any trusted person make the wound grow worse. As shared by the psalmist, cry unto the Lord and share with Him your entire burden, He is there for you patiently listening and waiting to comfort you in the hour of distress.

Have you experienced emotional wound? Have you identified and accepted it to be yours?

PRAYER: Dear God, thank you for Your assurance to heal our emotional wounds- anger, guilt, sadness, and feeling of being unloved and unworthy. Lord, be our strength and pour spirit of healing on us. AMEN.