Healthcare Professionals and Laying Hands on COVID-19 Patients

In our last issue, we discovered that it is possible not to be infected with the Coronavirus. We found out that if we “take up serpents…it will by no means hurt [us].’ In the same way it’s possible to be bitten and injected with a snake’s deadly venom, it’s also possible to take up or touch something or someone infected with the Coronavirus and walk away uninfected. But how is that possible? Because Jesus did.

Remember, back in His day, leprosy was considered contagious. Those infected had to live on the outskirts of town in what was known as leper colonies. This would be similar to the separate wards, tents and/or other facilities such hotels and arenas, that serve as pop up hospitals or places to treat COVID-19 patients. In Matthew 8, Jesus encountered such a patient to which ‘…[He] put out His hand and touched [the infected patient]...and immediately his leprosy was cleansed.’ In Luke 4:36, 37 we also find Him visiting Peter, whose mother-in-law, ‘…was sick with a high fever’. Fevers are usually the result of an infection. Those infections are usually viral which means once again Jesus was in the presence of a highly contagious person. Nevertheless, in both instances, He walked away uninfected.

The thing about it is that Jesus didn’t have to be physically present in order for them to be healed. He could have used His faith and simply pronounced or spoken healing over both individuals...from a far. Yet He ministered healing to them by way of laying on of hands. The good thing about it, is that in the absence of a cure, so can health care professionals today.

The Ministry of Healthcare Professionals

Mark 16:18 says, ‘they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Nurses, doctors, and health care professionals can lay hands on sick COVID-19 patients, and they will recover (progressively feel themselves getting better and better). In fact, all throughout scripture we find Jesus and others doing the same.

In Matthew 8:1-4, we find Jesus putting ‘…out His hand’ and touching or ministering healing to a contagious leper. In Mark 5, we find Jairus asking Him to, “Come and lay [His] hands on [his daughter].’ He was so assured that if Jesus did that she would, ‘…be healed, and…live.” And sure enough, she was. In Acts 9, we find “…Ananias…laying his hands on [Paul]’ and Paul receiving his sight. In Acts 28, we find ‘the father of Publius laying sick of a fever and dysentery…[and] Paul…[laying] hands on him and…’ he was healed. And in James 5, it says, ‘Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.’ If someone anoints you, they have to use what? Their hands. Therefore, we see yet another example of ministering healing by way of laying on of hands.

With those examples in mind, in the absence of a cure, therapies, antibodies, and/or vaccination, it is possible for faith-filled, Bible-believing healthcare professionals to lay hands on infected patients and they recover. But so that there’s no confusion, they should only do so with the proper PPE (protective masks, helmets, gloves, and clothing). In the absence of a vaccine, let's pray that healthcare professionals tap into the anointing to minister healing by way of laying on of hands. Shall we?

Pray this with me: Heavenly Father, I lift up every healthcare worker that professes You as Lord. I ask that You'd teach them how to lay hands privately, and/or silently lay hands on infected COVID-19 patients. Lord, use their hands and their faith to minister healing to Your children. In Jesus' name.

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