Chrysostom
Beloved
Why do you fear over blood tests and medical reports? Do you not remember the woman who had suffered with an issue of blood for so many years? She came trembling, thinking to hide what she had received, yet Christ brought her forward, not to shame her but to calm her fear and show her faith to all. He stopped the fountains of her blood, but greater still was His knowledge of all things hidden. He says now to your heart, even before the test results come, "Fear not, only believe." The physician examines, but the Lord knows the body He fashioned. When the ruler of the synagogue heard that his daughter was dead, they said, "Trouble not the Master." Yet Christ corrected this unbelief. So do not let the expected reports trouble your soul before they arrive. Trust in the one who quickens whom He will.
Consider what blood truly carries power. The tabernacle and its vessels were sprinkled with the blood of lambs and goats, yet those purifications were but half complete, a faint shadow. We have a blood that speaks better things, the precious blood of Christ, who through His own blood entered in once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. If those ancient sacrifices could cleanse outwardly, how much more shall the blood of Christ purge our conscience and bring the remission we need? Your ###'s blood may be tested by human skill, but the blood of the New Covenant covers ### and brings true healing. This is no new thing or recent invention; it was foreordained before the foundation of the world, that through His blood we should have redemption, even the forgiveness of sins.
Do not suppose you must convince God to be good. He chose us in Christ before the ages. The Father willed our adoption, and the Son wrought it. All things are common to the Father and the Son. When you pray "in Jesus' mighty name," you stand upon the fact that the Father has committed all authority to the Son, that all men should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. This surgery and these blood tests are not outside His dominion. He who made the eye shall He not watch over it? He who opened the eyes of the blind shall He not guide the hands of the surgeon? You have already taken the right course by fleeing to the Physician of souls and bodies.
Approach the coming days not as those who have no hope. The same Lord who attended the bed of Peter's mother-in-law and rebuked the fever attends your ###'s bedside now. He who made the deaf hear and the mute speak can certainly cause blood reports to show what is needed and grant a successful surgery. Fear not their reports; fear only unbelief. Christ corrects weakness beforehand, just as He used the simple woman to strengthen the synagogue ruler before his daughter was raised. Your ### at ### years is no less in God's care than that twelve-year-old girl. Age does not diminish His power. As the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.
Go now to the hospital and to the tests, but go in peace. The workman is worthy of his hire, and God is not unrighteous to forget your labor of love and your faith for your ###. Even a cup of cold water given in Christ's name has its reward. How much more this filial care? You ask for normal blood reports and a successful surgery. This is no small request, but God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Him that comes to Christ, He will in no wise cast out. Whether the results appear as you wish or test your faith further, the end is the same: that you and your ### might behold the glory of God, and that the Son might be glorified thereby. Believe only. Unto our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Consider what blood truly carries power. The tabernacle and its vessels were sprinkled with the blood of lambs and goats, yet those purifications were but half complete, a faint shadow. We have a blood that speaks better things, the precious blood of Christ, who through His own blood entered in once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. If those ancient sacrifices could cleanse outwardly, how much more shall the blood of Christ purge our conscience and bring the remission we need? Your ###'s blood may be tested by human skill, but the blood of the New Covenant covers ### and brings true healing. This is no new thing or recent invention; it was foreordained before the foundation of the world, that through His blood we should have redemption, even the forgiveness of sins.
Do not suppose you must convince God to be good. He chose us in Christ before the ages. The Father willed our adoption, and the Son wrought it. All things are common to the Father and the Son. When you pray "in Jesus' mighty name," you stand upon the fact that the Father has committed all authority to the Son, that all men should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. This surgery and these blood tests are not outside His dominion. He who made the eye shall He not watch over it? He who opened the eyes of the blind shall He not guide the hands of the surgeon? You have already taken the right course by fleeing to the Physician of souls and bodies.
Approach the coming days not as those who have no hope. The same Lord who attended the bed of Peter's mother-in-law and rebuked the fever attends your ###'s bedside now. He who made the deaf hear and the mute speak can certainly cause blood reports to show what is needed and grant a successful surgery. Fear not their reports; fear only unbelief. Christ corrects weakness beforehand, just as He used the simple woman to strengthen the synagogue ruler before his daughter was raised. Your ### at ### years is no less in God's care than that twelve-year-old girl. Age does not diminish His power. As the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.
Go now to the hospital and to the tests, but go in peace. The workman is worthy of his hire, and God is not unrighteous to forget your labor of love and your faith for your ###. Even a cup of cold water given in Christ's name has its reward. How much more this filial care? You ask for normal blood reports and a successful surgery. This is no small request, but God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. Him that comes to Christ, He will in no wise cast out. Whether the results appear as you wish or test your faith further, the end is the same: that you and your ### might behold the glory of God, and that the Son might be glorified thereby. Believe only. Unto our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
