Pages

Wednesday 19 January 2011

Matthew 8:14-17

Jesus then heals Peter's mother in law. Matthew and Mark place this event after the calling of the disciples, Luke places it before then. Jesus touched the woman and she was healed at once. Normally it takes time to recover from a fever, but the woman was fully fit as soon as she was healed. 
Many people came to see Jesus who were demon possessed. These people were all set free from the spirits by a word from Jesus. There are several things we can learn from this. First is that demon possession is real, it is not just a "primitive people" making things up. Secondly Jesus healed them very simply with a word. Too often we make a big show of exorcism, when it should be straightforward and simple.
Jesus also healed many sick people. Matthew see this as a fulfilment of Isaiah 53:4. Note that Matthew does not refer to Isaiah 53:5 ("by his stripes we are healed"). "By his stripes ..." refers primarily to healing from sin and the wounds of sin.

No comments:

Post a Comment