More healings in Capernaum

Luke 4:38-41

38 After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. 39 Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them.

40 As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. 41 Demons also came out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah.

A few things to note briefly:

a.      Simon (Peter) had a mother-in-law – that means Peter was married. Peter’s wife was left to take care of things at home as Peter followed Jesus on Jesus’ travels.

b.     Peter and the rest of the household concerned about the mother-in-law ask Jesus to help, which Jesus does. (Notice that Jesus “rebuked” the fever (vs. 39), just like he “rebuked” the “unclean demon” (yesterday – vs. 35) – Jesus has authority over both physical and spiritual powers.)   

c.      That Peter’s mother-in-law got up immediately and began serving them is a demonstration of how completely she had been healed. She was back completely well.

d.     In vs. 37 (yesterday) we were told that the report about what Jesus was doing was being spread all over the region, and in vs. 40 we see the impact that the news about Jesus had as people were brought to Jesus for Jesus to heal them.

e.      Jesus, we are told in vs. 40, laid his hands on each of them. Jesus was not aloof, stand-offish, no, Jesus was connected with, engaged with, the people. He put himself at risk of getting their disease if it was contagious. He connected with people who were sick and unwell.

f.       The demons are told to not tell people who Jesus is. Jesus wants to make sure he has time to teach his disciples what they will need to know after his ascension to heaven. If it comes out too quickly who he really is, then the time he has to work with the disciples will be dramatically shortened. Jesus is trying to control how quickly the showdown with the power-brokers will come.  

PRAYER:    

Lord God, we thank you that you can for the sick and ill, offering your touch and your healing, your comfort and your hope. In the COVID time may we see your healing hand bringing comfort and hope as you rebuke the powers of destruction. In Jesus’ name. Amen.