This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” Matthew 8:17 We’re in the season of sore throats, coughs, colds and flu. Many of us are reminded of just how fragile our bodies are. It is amazing to me that a microscopic virus can silence our voice and sap our strength to the point we aren’t able to do anything. One of the gifts Jesus brings is healing. One of the Christian martyrs commemorated in the month of February is a man God graced with healing, a man named Blasius or Blaise. Blaise was an Armenian who lived back in the 4 th Century. He was born into a rich household to parents who followed Jesus – a rarity of that day. So, as you would expect, he received a first-rate education given by Christian teachers. His ambition was to become a physician. In this Roman territory – now present-day Turkey – Blaise began practicing medicine. He was good at it. Even more so, he became known as a Christian with healing hands. As often happens in church families, Blaise was quickly promoted as a Christian teacher and healer. He was elevated to the office of bishop at a young age. I can’t imagine the responsibility – running a medical practice and being a chief shepherd of a number of churches – all of this in the community of Sebaste in Armenia which is modern-day Sivas, Turkey. Here’s where the story gets interesting. . . The Roman Empire was divided into smaller sections to ensure stability. It didn’t work so well. Valerius Licinius and Flavius Valerius Constantinus (Constantine) were co-emperors. Licinius ruled the eastern Roman Empire and Constantine ruled the west. A rivalry deepened between them causing civil war. Constantine was a Christian convert. Licinius was a loyal Roman pagan. Blaise – the doctor and bishop – lived in the territory ruled by Licinius. Licinius began to view Christians as a threat to his authority. In order to consolidate his power and to punish his chief rival (Constantine was a Christian), he began a state-sponsored campaign to persecute Christians. He rewarded people to hunt them and bring them in to face torture and death if they refused to renounce Jesus and bow to the Roman gods. During this time, Blaise left his comfortable home to live life as a hermit in a cave. He was eventually discovered by hunters and taken to the governor. The governor was impressed with Blaise’s ability to heal and serve, unapologetically, in Jesus’ name. One story included a boy who was near death from choking on a fishbone lodged in his throat. Blaise prayed and went to work and saved his life. As impressed as the governor was, it didn’t stop him from insisting that the Blaise renounce his faith. When he wouldn’t, the governor had him beaten, tortured with an iron comb (a tool used for combing wool), and eventually beheaded. In the Roman Catholic world, Blaise became the Saint to those suffering from sore throats. Why do such stories come to mind? Jesus is the true physician. Blaise was faithful to follow Jesus in that task. Blaise knew that God does not stand far off from our coughing, aching and fevered bodies. He comes close. He touches, and He speaks life. Blaise could not turn away from such a Savior. So as you nurse a sore throat, or care for a sick child or spouse, do it unapologetically in Jesus’ name. Know that this is holy work, and God is deeply invested in your humanity. Even more so, tell the stories of how God empowers our simple acts of love and service to bring life. Just as He did in the days of Blaise, so may we see Him meet us as our Great Physician who came to “take our illnesses and heal our diseases.” Keep and live the faith!

Shining all the way into Lent