Matthew 8:14-17 NIVUK
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all who were ill. 17 This was to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
‘He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases.’
I love this little episode. Watching politicians and other public figures, it can seem as if every act is done in a calculated way, to make an impression and statement to the watching world. Amongst all these dramatic healings and miracles out in the open on the public stage which could be interpreted this way, we find this intimate story. Jesus sees his friend’s Mum unwell and so reaches out to her and heals her. Unasked, hidden away and undramatic. To me it reads like a simple, genuine act of compassion and friendship.
Father, help us by your Spirit to be people of genuine love, not contrived for effect but lived for the sake of others.
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