JESUS "The Balm of Gilead"

Introduction on Balm from Gilead and Reasoning for Why Jesus can be called as a "Balm of Gilead"

Gilead is a region east of Jordan river which was allotted to the tribes of Reuben and Gad. In ancient times, there came an ointment made from the gum of tree in Gilead. Scripture says in Genesis that the Ishmaelite traders who purchased Joseph from his brothers were carrying this balm of Gilead to Egypt. Having said that, I also understood that all parts of the tree (buds, branches, bark etc) were potent for medicinal uses to treat number of disorders such as acute and chronic infection of respiratory tract, cough, wounds, bruises, snake bite, sore throat, sores etc. As Balm of Gilead is either an oil or syrup or a dish known as salve, I am sure it would undergo major processing to become an oil or a syrup. Similarly when I compare it with that of Jesus, for him to become a balm, he was smitten, bruised and beaten for our transgressions and iniquities. And the precious blood he shed on that cross turns out to be the balm for many who are sick physically and needs cleansing on the inside.
And what caught my attention i also found out that it not just healed wounds & bruises, but it had the potential to heal snakebites too (I will get deeper into this particular point in the characteristics). By all this I could connect to Jesus being the Balm of Gilead. Or rather I would say that Jesus was no less than a "Balm". If I can put together a few characteristics of a Balm in comparison/similarities with that of Jesus, below are few thoughts that cropped up in my heart as a revelation :



1. Outer Healing : We just saw a few healing s received when the balm from Gilead is used. By seeing this primary characteristic, we understand that Jesus is a healer of all sicknesses as he died for us  on the cross of Calvary for us to be delivered from all sicknesses. Hence he is called the Balm of Gilead. We see many healing that Jesus performed starting from eyesight being healed to the dead being raised (lazarus). And if any of you are seeking for healing, when you believe that Jesus is the Balm of Gilead you will be healed from the crown of the head to the soles of your feet. Every disease/sickness is but a name, BUT there is this son of God who can heal us no matter how critical the health condition is.

2. Inner Healing : Balm of Gilead also indicates inner healing as he died on the cross of Calvary for the sake of our transgressions and iniquities. As per my findings in the internet, I also understood that Balm of Gilead is used to heal snakebites too. In here, snakebite can be compared to that of sin that became a part of man after a Snake deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden. By this I am also able to relate that Jesus can even purge our sins. This balm of Gilead also indicates salvation through forgiveness of sin. Having said that if any of you feel that there is no one for you, and that the sins in your life can never be forgiven or forgotten or has over taken you - Do not worry this BALM OF GILEAD can bring about a healing in your heart and mind and can forgive your sins once you accept him as your personal savior. Remove the alphabet "I" in SIN and replace it with the "O" and allow the SON (JESUS) to take charge over your inner being. I promise you this act of yours will unleash everlasting peace within you. And you will be a new creation in Christ. Old will be gone, and new thing will sprout up in you.

3. Additional characteristic that I felt was "Even-though people had to pay to get the actual Balm of Gilead, the Balm that Jesus gives you is free of cost". You dont need to be a rich person or a poor person to take this balm. You dont have to belong to a priestly family to avail this Balm. You dont have to be a beautiful or a handsome person to receive it. You neither will have to be a ugly person too. This is free of cost to every human being who God has created in his own image. This is free to every person who knows that he/she is fearfully and wonderfully made.

In my conclusion :
I finally understood that

For the first timers in Christ, I dint want to complicate this topic of "Balm of Gilead". Its simple, Jesus is the Balm from Gilead. He is the source of all healing. He is the one who can set us free from all our iniquities and fornication when we receive him as our Savior.

For the some of us who feel we have grown spiritually & are holy people, I would still say that we need this Balm of Gilead, as we do lack in many areas (like me). We the ones who are spiritually growing people feel that we are correct in everything we do. But I am sorry to say that no man is perfect. We do need this Balm to heal us on the inside and change the inner being to yield to what God has to say is right for us. We are the ones who need the most touch from God as we need to see if the lifestyle we live is pleasing to God, rather than pleasing people. Let God do what he wants to do in our lives rather than we telling him what is best for us.
 
For the backsliders, Its is essential for you folks to roll back to the Lord. And the Balm of Gilead is what you need. Healing in those areas where you are hurt which has caused you to drift away from God. Or may be someone who was very close to you is no more around you and your blaming God for it, but now your feeling guilty to come back to him. This is a time to ask for forgiveness. He is still the same yesterday today and forever. He will never change from everlasting to everlasting he is the same. Remember the prodigal son and come back to the Lord. He desires that no one should perish.