35. Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others
– Matthew 8:14-17; Mark 1:29-34; Luke 4:38-41
Matthew 8:15 “He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.”
Immediately after Jesus heals Peter’s mother in law, she began serving Jesus. This was her way of showing gratitude to Jesus. God gives us strength so that we may serve others. How many times has God provided, protected, or healed you? Be like Peter’s mother-in-law and show your gratitude to God with your actions. Look for ways to do honor him.
Matthew 8:16-17 “When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”
Jesus has ultimate authority. Jesus has the power to heal us from all diseases. He can command demons to do as he says. Nothing is outside the scope of God. When Jesus came to the earth, he showed us his power. But, he also showed us a small glimpse of what it will be like when sickness and death no longer exist. Jesus gave us a little taste of heaven.
Mark 1:31 “So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.”
Each gospel shows a different perspective on how Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law. Matthew states that Jesus touched her; Mark states that Jesus helped her up; Luke states that Jesus spoke to the fever. Still, every story is true. When you put the pieces together you can see that Jesus bent down to her and rebuked the fever as he helped her up. What exactly caused the fever to leave her does not matter. What really matters is that Jesus healed her and he can heal us too.
Mark 1:32 “That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed.”
The people brought the sick and demon-possessed after sunset because it was the Sabbath. According to Jewish tradition, no one may be healed on the Sabbath. Also, there was a law that the Jewish people couldn’t travel on the Sabbath. The people were so desperate to be healed that they traveled to Jesus as soon as they could. They didn’t wait until the next day; they traveled after sunset. Do you go to Jesus with the same urgency? Or, do you push off your problems until later to go to God? God has the power to heal anything and everything. Give him the ability by going to him.
Mark 1:34 “He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.”
Why did Jesus not let the demons speak? Well, for one, he showed his power over the demons by taking away their ability to speak and possess people. Also, Jesus refused to let the devil have any control over how Jesus’ true identity would be revealed to the world. Jesus wanted the people to get to know him. As a follower of Jesus, we are given the ability to have a relationship with Jesus. Just like any other relationship, Jesus lets you get to know him better overtime. Seek out every day trying to get to know God a little better than you had the day before.
Luke 4:40 “The people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.”
Why did Jesus touch every person? Why didn’t Jesus simply say a word and have the whole crowd? Because Jesus is a personal God. He will come to you individually to help you. Additionally, Jesus showed his love for the people by physically touching them while they are sick. Most of us try to avoid others when they are sick. But, when people are sick is when they need us the most. Take Jesus’ example and don’t be afraid to show love to those that are hard to love.
