Matthew 8:15

          I am always blessed by this tiny periscope of scripture tucked between those two monumental passages of public healing activities – Matthew 8:14,15. In Matthew 8:5-13 one finds the phenomenal long-distance healing of the centurion’s servant by speaking the “Word only” – and in Matthew 8:16, one sees the healing of many who were possessed with devils just by His word and the healing of all that were sick. However, right between these two remarkable public displays of power and healing, there is the quiet, private healing of Peter’s mother-in-law.
           
           With Him the quiet, private healing of the quiet and seemingly unassuming is just as important as the mass healing campaigns and public displays of the supernatural. He is inclined to work in the limelight as much as in the quiet obscurity of the residence, where there is no crowd or fanfare. The passage informs that our Jesus is just as concerned about the individual as He is about the masses. He cares about the private, our private worlds as He is about the public. He is concerned about the home and that which is outside the home, also comes under his purview and concern. Both private and public worlds are matters of great concern for Him.
            
          Matthew calmly, informs the readers “And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick with a fever” (Matthew 8:14).  Thank God He still makes house visits. Matthew then says, “And He touched her hand, and the fever left her …” (8:15).  Just so calmly, so powerfully, so masterfully, so majestically! No fanfare, no excitement, just so Jesus-like! He came, He saw, He touched “. . . and the fever left her.”  Just one touch!  Today, all we pray for and desire is just one touch from the master’s hand. No wonder the songwriter declared, “He touched me . . . and O the joy that floods my soul, something happened and now I know He touched me and made me whole.” There is nothing, absolutely nothing like the master’s touch. Just one touch from Him and every sad condition is brought back into proper commission and alignment. “Jesus touched her hand and the fever left her” (8:15).  Thank God for the healing hands of Jesus.

          I am reminded that the healing campaigns of Jesus were so simple.  Today, we seem to prefer the dramatic. We want to lay hands on people and desire for them to fall out and if they don’t some would even dare to push them down – yet nothing really happens. Jesus simply spoke the word, or laid hands, or issued a command and the desired action was produced. May God help us to get back to the simple power of the gospel, where sometimes all it takes is one touch.
            
          As 2021 progresses we pray for the supernatural healing of Jesus not only to be outstretched over the church, but for the healing virtue to be felt and experienced in every segment of the church’s operations. Let His healing hand and touch be experienced in your life and over your ailing condition in Jesus’ name, even right now again. We pray for only One Touch in Jesus Name. Like Peter’s mother-in-law may we arise and minister.

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Leroy V. Greenaway
Regional Bishop – Northeast Region

February 27, 2021

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                                                          PLEASE NOTE

          In collaboration with our District Overseers, the Church of God of Prophecy submits to the wisdom of continuing to ‘Shelter in Place’ for the safety and protection of the flock. This is to be observed until further notice and the present virus is better contained. Should the need arise to meet, we are advised to meet in groups of no more than 10, while we strictly observe the protocols of social distancing, wearing of masks and aggressive sanitizing of our hands and surfaces frequently touched.

          Please let us patiently observe these practices to keep each other safe and alive. We are reminded that we are indeed our brother’s keeper. Stay home! Stay Healthy! Stay Hopeful! We shall soon get through this! Premature re-openings of our churches seem not to be the wisest way to go at this point. Let us continue to pray, caring for each other and staying connected.

Leroy V. Greenaway
Regional Presiding Bishop — Northeast Region