He is good for what ails you

Matthew 11:28  (ESV)

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

It was spring, and hundreds of people were gathered in a small town for the annual Relay For Life event. Food, vendors, entertainment, but most of all a festivity celebrating money raised to help discover a cure for cancer.

The original Relay began in 1985 when a colorectal surgeon-Dr. Gordy Klatt, walked and ran around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The cure for all forms of cancer still eludes us, and people die daily from the ravages of the disease, but Relay has multiplied exponentially.

Visit a pharmacy and witness our attempt to cure a single ill-the headache. We have now specialized by offering different pills for various types of headaches. Is it related to stress, lack of sleep, allergies or congestion? We have the pill. But headaches return.

And what pharmacy could keep a pill stocked that proposed to cure personal, physical, emotional and spiritual ills with one swallow? On one episode of the Andy Griffith show, Aunt Bee's Medicine Man, Colonel Harvey proposed to possess such a cure with his "Indian Elixir." To Aunt Bee and everyone else's chagrin, it was 85 percent hooch. But it momentarily placated the symptoms.

Jesus' cure for what ails and weighs us down? Come to Him for rest. And the four gospels are full instances when he did just that. Healed the sick. Comforted the societal outcasts. Confronted those with misguided priorities. Lifted burdens added by the religious establishment. At the same time, his challenges were well, challenging.

We're fond of searching for quick fixes for our physical, emotional and spiritual pains. A pill from a doctor, a trip to the counselor and a visit to the local church. All appropriate measures within a proper context. But Jesus invites us to come to him. To cry out and be honest about everything and everyone that's bothering us. He understands the pain and hurt and will give you rest, peace and insight. He's the cure all. All other proponents are shadows at best.

When you're tempted to look to other sources for comfort and cures, remember Jesus has promised to provide peace and comfort.

Dear Lord, we thank You that we can come to You for whatever need we have. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.