Lone Rangers are Dead Rangers

Your walk with God is a community project – each body part needs the body. Physical sickness/healing illustrate spiritual sickness/healing in Scripture. James closes with a section that starts with physical healing and gradually shifts to spiritual restoration because this section is all about the remedy for all the spiritual maladies exposed in the book. The oil is a physical act symbolizing healing, renewal, refreshment, and possibly dedication to God. Elders are to be called by the sick person because they are shepherds who care for broken sheep in times of trouble and offer prayers as well as the spiritual care needed in times of sickness, when it’s hard to draw near to God.