Jesus says to those who are forgiven, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace" (Luke 7:50) and uses the same words to the healed leper (Luke 17:19). Ultimate salvation, God's salvation which Christ came to bring, is entered by faith alone. Salvation is of the Lord, and must be accepted in simple trusting faith, if it is to be enjoyed at all.

Those from whom he expelled demons were saved. The significance of the exorcisms demonstrated power over evil impulse which Christ can exercise in those who are saved. Jesus is the conqueror of Satan. Since the coming of Jesus we are no longer helpless under the domination of sin: "so if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). The salvation of the Gadarene demoniac was not only a matter of healing a distraught mind and integrating a split personality. The man tasted the powers of the age to come when he came face to face with Jesus and had his needs met. He was not only healed, but saved (Luke 8:36).

When the cripple in the Temple was healed through Peter and the apostles were called to account for it by the ruling elders, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit said to them: "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead that this man stands before you healed...Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:10-12). Healing is the sign of salvation.

Salvation is wholeness. God wants to save us, meet us at our point of need whatever it might be. Jesus comes to save us but we must exercise the gift of faith to claim that salvation. Just as the people who touched him were healed, we must reach out in simple trust if we want to be saved.

What is your point of need and how should you reach out to Jesus in faith to be saved?

Is it a physical need from which we are suffering? Are you battling some crippling disease or condition that is weakening you? Are you receiving treatment for it, taking medication, facing surgery or a long, slow rehabilitation. Do you reach out to Jesus through his church for healing? Or are you reluctant to draw attention to your need, and prefer to pray for yourself? It takes courage to come to Jesus and touch him to be saved. If you claim to be saved why do you not reach out to him for healing?

Is it an emotional need from which you are suffering? Are you troubled by memories of the past, hurts that have not healed, resentments that fester, emotional pain that depresses you, disappointments that afflict you? Do you reach out to Jesus through his church for healing? Do you allow others to help you with those secret sorrows? If you claim to be saved then you will reach out to him for healing.

Is it a relational need from which you are suffering? Do you worry about your loved ones, your children and grandchildren, your spouse or your friends or your enemies? Is there a need for forgiveness or reconciliation? Do you suffer from loneliness? Do you need God's salvation in your relationships? Do you need the help of your fellow believers to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love which surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God? If you claim to be saved then you will reach out to the Savior for the healing power of his love.

Is it an intellectual need from which you are suffering? Do you struggle with doubt and fear that your life is worth little, and will soon be extinguished in death? Do you want to believe but struggle with skepticism? Are you pessimistic about the future and have little hope that there is anything worthwhile to look forward to? Do you need God's salvation in your mind and your reason? Do you want to be healed of this affliction? If you want to be saved you will have to reach out to Jesus and cry, "I believe, help my unbelief, Reveal yourself to me so that I might have faith and hope."

What is it that is crippling you, paralyzing you, bleeding you dry, obsessing you, that prevents you from being whole? From what do you need to be saved? What robs you of peace? From what do you need to be forgiven? What demon needs to be driven from you so that you can be free? Is it pride? Is it the need to be in control? You can claim to be saved and yet continue to be afflicted by many problems. Reach out to Jesus in faith for healing.

At even, when the sun did set, The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay Oh, in what divers pain they met. Oh, with what joy they went away.

O Savior Christ, our woes dispel;
For some are sick, and some are sad,
And some have never loved Thee well,
And some have lost the love they had;

And some are pressed with worldly care,
And some are tried with sinful doubt;
And some such grievous passions tear That only Thou canst cast them out;
And some have found the world is vain, Yet from the world they break not free;

And some have friends who give them pain, Yet have not sought a friend in Thee;
And none, O Lord, have perfect rest, For none are wholly free from sin;
And they who fain would serve Thee best Are conscious most of wrong within.

O Savior Christ, Thou too, art man; Thou hast been troubled, tempted, tried.
Thy kind but searching glance can scan The very wounds that shame would hide.
Thy touch has still its ancient power,
No word from Thee can fruitless fall;
Hear in this solemn evening hour And in Thy mercy heal us all.

Amen. (Henry Twells 1823-1900)

Pre-publication orders for SOUL FOOD: DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR THE HUNGRY, Volume 2, April, May and June ($15.00 plus S&H) are being taken at tschroder@ameliachapel.com.