The healing remedy for our nation?

I believe the template for healing a divided nation is outlined in our Sunday School lesson entitled Called to Heal. The Scripture as noted in Mark 2:1-12 parallels with similar accounts found in Matthew 9:1-8 and Luke 5:17-26.

1 And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. 2 Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. 3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." (Mark 2:1-5)

Calling You to Healing

While he is preaching, four men brought him a paralyzed person, carrying him on a litter. The paralyzed man could not seek out Jesus on his own, but his four friends cared enough to take him where he needed to go. The problem was that Jesus was unapproachable because of the crowd that surrounded him in the house. Yet, these four men were creative in getting to Jesus. One must realize that the construction of homes in Galilee included outside staircases that would allow you to access a flat roof. Usually, these roofs were unlike our modern roofs because the materials they used to construct these roofs were mud and thatch. Thatch is a plant material like straw, so mixed with mud, and this material will harden to reduce the rain from entering the house. These roofs were sustainable for a limited time and often will need replacing with more mud and thatch. So these four men dug up the mud and thatch to create a hole to lower the litter down in front of Jesus as noted in verse 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

What Jesus witnessed was collective faith in the four friends. Sometimes our circumstances can be so overpowering that we need others' assistance to piggyback on their faith. Even the Apostle Paul realizes the need for collective faith in Galatians 6:2 Bear one another burdens and fulfill the law of Christ. Burden is an extra heavy load or weight which exceeds the strength of those under them. Like the person with paralysis, he was unable the carry himself to acquire the needed healing. Yet, when Jesus witnessed the four friends' faith, Jesus informed the person with paralysis, Son, your sins are forgiven. Understandably these four friends brought the person with paralysis because of muscles problem instead of sin problems. Jesus realized that a deeper issue beyond the visible problem needed addressing. Remember, no matter how poor your physical condition becomes, your spiritual condition must take priority. Unforgiven sins are more detrimental than unhealed limbs. Since spiritual healing will reverse sinful physical consequences, Jesus addressed the paralytic's spiritual condition while demonstrating to everyone including the religious leaders, that the Son on Man can forgive sin on Earth.

So how can we as believers, heal our nation? First, we must realize that we cannot legislate society back to God. In other words, laws alone cannot save. Even if our legislators repeal laws that we think are wrong, the repealed laws cannot save us. Remember, the scribes who were law-keepers became skeptical when they heard Jesus reply, "Your sins are forgiven." They became cynical because they lacked an understanding, and they failed to grasp the spiritual necessity within themselves. One of the most repeated Scriptures among believers is II Chronicles 7:14, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Yet, the two verses before 7:14 explain the need for prayer. Notice 12 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: "I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people,

Secondly, we must realize that the remedy to heal our nation is effective prayer as outlined in II Chronicles 7:14. This prayer directs MY People as the first element. God's covenant people are the Jews, but believers also can approach God through the new-covenant relationship with His Son, Jesus. The second element of this prayer is that humbleness moves God. Humble believers get through to God, for they renounce pride and realize their dependency. Scripture reminds us of Jesus words, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) Prayer is nothing but our admission of weakness and need for assistance. The third element of this prayer to become effective is seeking His face or seeking forgiveness and favor. Remember, our prayer is not a tool for negotiation but a means of reconciliation according to God's terms. As we seek His face, He will provide the opportunity. The final element of effective prayer is for God's people to "turn from their evil ways." Mainly, the entire premise is to turn away from something that displeases God and turns toward something that pleases him. If we want God to bless our nation, we must turn toward Him in repentance by turning our backs on sin or anything contrary to his will. We must remove our selfish attitude and emulate the attitude of God. For instance, it is totally wrong for believers to demonize their opponents, even Satan had access to God in the book of Job.

Remember the paralytic four friends collectively engaged in action to assist their friend. Are we actively engaged in our community within our ability to aid others during this pandemic?

Here are a few examples of acts of kindness:

After the NBA announced, they would indefinitely suspend its season due to the rapid spread of the virus, Cleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Love pledged $100,000 to help arena workers who have had "a sudden life shift" due to the organization's decision. His donation will help support over a thousand workers that make up the Cavaliers' support staff. In an Instagram post announcing his act of kindness, Love wrote, "I encourage everyone to take care of themselves and to reach out to others in need—whether that means supporting your local charities that are canceling events, or checking in on your colleagues and family." Since his announcement, Love has inspired other athletes to do the same. According to Cleveland News, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis (Yonnis) Antetokunmpo (Adedo-Koonbo) and Detroit's Blake Griffin have followed in Love's footsteps. The 19-year-old Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans also announced his plans to cover all salaries for the team's arena staff during the suspension. (guidepost.com)

Jrue Holiday decided to give the rest of 2020 salary to Black and Brown owned businesses and nonprofit initiatives, equating to $5.3 million. Jrue Holiday is an NBA player for Milwaukee Bucks, and his wife Lauren is a former U.S. women's soccer star. "In an Instagram post, Holiday cited the COVID-19 pandemic and racial injustices as the driving force behind the couple decision. (USA Today)

What can we do to aid to brothers and sisters in our community during this pandemic while effectively praying for the healing of our nation?