He came to heal {a short story}

And He [Jesus] went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So His fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and He healed them. And great crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. Matthew 4:23-25

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Thick dust swirled up around my body with every step I took - each one bringing me closer to the destination of the five-day journey. My whole body ached as I urged myself to keep up with the caravan's steady pace under the hot, unrelenting sun. Thankfully, the jolting rhythm of the cart had rocked my son, Doron, to sleep.  

"Oh my precious Doron," I whispered, "how I wish I could make you better."

It had been obvious for years that something was very wrong with my son. In the beginning it had been easy to cover up his unseen illness from others, but as he grew from a baby to a boy it became very clear to all that he was sick with an unfamiliar disease. My husband and I frequently met with the priests and we spent our savings paying for sacrifices, begging Yahweh for healing. Alas, it seemed our petitions would not be answered. But my husband refused to give up hope and had recently heard that the great teacher, called Jesus, who could perform miracles was once again passing through Capernaum. There had even been rumors that he was the long-awaited Messiah. Unfortunately, my husband couldn't leave our little shop in Jerusalem so it was up to me to make the journey with our son.

With each step I took, I nursed my bitterness. Why did God give me such heartache? I felt it was wrong for the Creator to cripple my son's mind. Was He punishing me? I tried to follow the law the best I could. We made all the proper sacrifices, but even so, my son battled an unseen illness while I battled the judgmental murmurs that rippled around me as I walked to the market. Many nights I spent weeping and mourning the life I had been given.

With great relief the caravan finally arrived at the thriving fishing village. While my weary body throbbed with exhaustion, I knew I had to press on to find this great teacher everyone was talking about. It wasn't long before I could make out a swarming mass of people.

The crowd grew thicker as I inched my way closer to the voice speaking with authority. I could hear the teacher preaching and quoting the words of the prophets. I prayed my son would continue sleeping as I tried to weave my way through the crowd. But no one wanted to let me through.

"I need to see the teacher - the healer," I cried. "My son is sick. Please, please let me through."

One man roughly shoved me back and snarled, "Move aside, you filthy woman." I stumbled and fell to my knees. It was useless. I had come all this way for nothing.

Suddenly the crowd grew very still and I felt a shadow envelope my body. I looked up and saw Jesus standing nearby, his gaze directly on me. With shaky hands, I laid my son at the teacher's feet and bowed low. I began pleading through my tears, "Oh great healer, please, please help! We have traveled a long distance for a miracle. Have mercy!"

Quietly, Jesus knelt beside me and put his hands on my head. Wait. What was he doing? He began to pray over me.

"No, Master," I dared to interrupt. "Not me - my son - my son needs to be healed."

Jesus replied in a gentle yet commanding voice that calmed my soul, "Beloved, I have come to heal the sick - to bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted. My dear woman, I created your son for a great purpose. It is you who needs healing. You are hurting. You have carried the burden of guilt, sorrow, and fear for too long. Cast all your cares on me and I will give you rest. Release your unbelief and take up my yoke. Believe in Me... I am the way, and the truth, and the life."

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As [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.' John 9:1-3

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Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30