Chapter 12

“And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?”” Luke 17:12-17.

This passage teaches the significance of saying THANK YOU.

“And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.” Matthew 9:2-8.

She probably suffered from menorrhagia (prolonged menstruation), though bleeding from a fibroid tumor of the uterus is also a possibility. Despite the pain and suffering, and rejection by society as unclean, she never lost her faith. She joint a crowd to welcome Jesus back to Galilee.

“And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.” Luke 8:43-47.

Loss of muscle mass and strength in the hand can arise from a variety of conditions, including congenital brain disorders, and cerebral palsy.

In the Bible, the scribes and the Pharisees watched Jesus in the synagogue on a Sabbath. “But he knew their thoughts, and he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” And he rose and stood there. And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?” And after looking around at them all he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored.” Luke 6:8-10.

Gigantism is mostly caused by a tumor of the pituitary gland. Excessive production of growth hormone in childhood results in acromegaly with tall stature, and later on acromegaly with large extremities. Further tumor growth can compress the adjacent optic nerves and impair peripheral vision. There have been speculations about Goliath’s vision, although there is no definite mention in the Bible.

“When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David.” 1 Samuel 17:48-50.

“When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. And he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died.” 2 Kings 4:18-20.

The features are more consistent with that from a ruptured brain aneurysm. The hallmark of a ruptured brain aneurysm is a sudden severe headache, often described as the worst ever. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness. About 10% die before receiving medical attention, and 25% die within 24 hours.

Some have speculated that the subject died from heat stroke. This type of death tends to be preceded by headache, dizziness, confusion, muscle weakness, seizures.

In the quiz above, the child who complained “Oh, my head, my head!” and died shortly after from a suspected ruptured brain aneurysm was raised from the dead by Elisha.

“When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.” 2 Kings 4:32-35.

“And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.” Mark 8:22-25.

He replied to His disciples who called His attention to the man who was born blind. “Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.” John 9:6-7.

“As he 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. Jesus restored his vision and instructed him to “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.”

People with physical or mental health issues, disability, or other challenges deserve respect, understanding, appropriate support and services, and compassion, not finger pointing, stigmatization, intrinsic or socioeconomic bias, and blame.

Prayers are powerful and often work hand in hand with medical treatment. Many hospitals provide Pastoral Services. There is no explicit prohibition in the Bible to the combined use.

Jesus heard the Pharisees questioning His disciples. “ But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” Matthew 9:12.

When Hezekiah, the king of Judah, was dying, God instructed Prophet Isaiah to use herbs to heal the infection. “And Isaiah said, “Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover.”” 2 Kings 20:7. Figs are rich in Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, and antioxidants. Some fig products are currently used to treat certain skin conditions.