Visiting the Sick

There are many different levels of sick. One can just be worn down and indicate that they are feeling sick. Someone might be in the hospital with a disease or physical limitation. Others might be struggling with sin and guilt which can cause a spiritual breakdown. We might talk about someone who does depraved things as being sick in the mind. Even though there are varying degrees of sickness and brokenness, the end result is a need for healing. All these are kind of covered in James 5:13-16, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” We sing praises when our heart is light, but there is healing with the heaviness of heart too. The healing seems to be tied to the elders, and yet it says to confess to each other and the prayers of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Too often we think of visiting the sick as the pastor’s job. I believe every believer is called to minister to others... just maybe in different ways. We also read about the how Jesus, when He returns to judge the world, was going to separate the faithful and unfaithful. So who will be saved? Matthew 25:34-36 tells us that those who fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, invited the stranger, clothed the needy, cared for the sick, and visited the poor would enter the kingdom of God, for every time we served others, it was as if we served Christ. So, how do we visit the sick? We could bring food to their homes to sooth the spirit, offer to get things from the store, send a get well card, or even take them to doctor appointments. Better yet, we can encourage them (body), read from God’s word and pray for them (soul/spirit). One doesn’t have to be a pastor, or even an elder, to read God’s word and pray. Listen to them and what their needs might be (spiritual and physical). Lord, give me ears to hear their need. Give me words to minister to their hearts. Give me faith to lift them up to Your gracious care. Amen