THE SABBATH DAY HEALINGS OF JESUS OF NAZARETH (Continued)

THE HEALING OF THE MAN WITH DROPSY

Scripture Reading: Luke 14:1-6

^{1And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.}

^{2And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.}

^{3　And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?}

^{4　And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;}

^{5　And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?}

^{6　And they could not answer him again to these things.}

     Dropsy is a condition in which fluid accumulates in the body and the body is unable to regulate it. Spiritually, it is an outward manifestation of a much deeper spiritual issue. Dropsy is the old name for edema which usually results from an imbalance of forces controlling fluid exchange. Stated another way, it is the unnatural collection of fluid. Spiritually, the fluid speaks to the water of the Word.

     Any medical reference will show that the kidneys have a central role in maintaining body fluid homeostasis. Biblically, whereas the heart speaks to the inner man, mind, will, and understanding; the kidneys speak to seat of emotion and affection. The soul of man is comprised of the mind, will and emotions and the emotions is an area of the soul that is often overlooked. The conscience or that internal or self-knowledge, or judgment of right and wrong or that which is lawful or unlawful must be dealt with in order to properly regulate the Word that enters into our hearts. It must be purged from dead works.

     Now that we see what this condition is truly referring to, let us take a moment to dwell on the role of the spiritual kidneys. (Conscience and kidneys are now used interchangeably in this lesson). The kidneys and what they speak to are powerful in regulating the water of the Word within the Body. The Old Covenant uses a term called reins which means kidneys or the seat of emotion and affection. Despite this internal ability from God, many often defer decisions to others such as their pastors, friends, prayer partners, etc. versus depending on God and allowing the complete inward man of the heart in union with Christ to go forward as unctioned. Instruction is derived from this part of us (the reins) as seen in Psalm 16:7 which states, "I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons."

Continued