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IS SOMEONE SICK?
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27
James 5:14

Acts 14:21-23

 

“…they had ordained them elders
in every church,

and had prayed with fasting…”

 

IS SOMEONE SICK?
 
The Greek word for “elders” (James 5:14) is where we get the English word Presbyterian. The context tells us that this denotes the leaders who preside over Christian assemblies or churches. Read Acts 14:23 where Paul demonstrates the Presbyterian system of governance in the church when he starts the pattern of the plurality of elders in every church. Let the elders come: When there is someone sick among God’s people, they must desire to seek the church’s assistance and prayers through the elders. The teaching elders are furnished with gifts to counsel in the Word and doctrine (1 Tim 5:17). It is the pastoral duty of the ones whom God has called to shepherd His flock.
 
Let the elders pray: Let the elders come and pray over the afflicted. It is the duty of elders, especially the pastor, to pray for the sick members. The elders must make intercession for those affected by calamities, setting the affected before God, and presenting the sick to God. It is also a means to stir up the greater affection and warmth among leaders and people.
 
Let the elders anoint: The elders will anoint the sick with oil. Anointing signifies the external physical application of oil or perfumed ointment (Mark 6:13) to a part of one’s body (Matt 6:17). The purpose of this anointing is not a sacred ritual, but a medicinal one. “Olive oil, which is abundant in the Middle East, is often used for such oiling to soothe the tired or weak body” (Khoo).
 
In Acts 20:34-36, Paul exhorted the Ephesian elders about the caring of God’s flock: “Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.” May this be the heart of our elders to give themselves to attend to the needs of God’s children, especially the sick.
 
THOUGHT: Do I pray for the elders of my church?

PRAYER: Father, help my church elders to remember their duties.

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