Saturday 23 June, 2012

38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. 40 At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. 42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Jesus attended the synagogue and it was after this that he performed many miracles ie. healing the sick and casting out demons.  Theory first and then the practical outworking of God’s purposes.

People begged Jesus to heal Simon’s mother in-law.  They knew Jesus could make her well.  There was faith in that room and ultimately that village because they were all healed.  Once Simon’s mother in-law was healed she immediately went on to do what God called her to – serve!

Jesus pleased his heavenly Father above pleasing men and women.  This is evident in his deciding to move onto the next town to preach. It would have been easy to stay in a place where you are so wanted and needed. He chose to be obedient and move on not knowing how he would be received in the next town.

A desire for the supernatural is stirred by the reading of this passage.  To see people set free and God’s awesome power displayed.   Get clued up first though ie get understanding on the topic first. This understanding will help build faith.  We see Jesus attended the Synagogue where knowledge was obtained from Scripture. Jesus also shows us the importance of getting away from it all and seeking God’s will as opposed to what is popular or reasonable.  Jesus intentionally went somewhere isolated where he could hear God clearly, free from distraction.  We need to do the same.

Written by Ainslie Woods