Jesus departed from the synagogue and entered Simon Peter’s house where his mother-in-law lay sick with a high fever, so they requested Jesus’ power to intervene in this situation (4:38). They probably speculated that if Jesus had power over the spirit realm, He would also have power over the physical realm. Jesus “stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them” (4:39). The mere spoken words of Jesus were able to instantly change a circumstance. That is power. Word spread very quickly concerning Jesus’ ability to cast out demons and heal the sick so “all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many… (4:40-41). When God is doing things which cannot be humanly explained, people will come to see.
The next day Jesus retreated to a deserted place, but the people were searching for Him and demanded that He stay in Capernaum; however, Jesus said, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent” (4:43). Jesus’ response to the people proves that His emphasis was on His preaching ministry, not on His healing ministry. Physical healing was only temporary, but spiritual healing would result in eternal life. Because Jesus wanted all people to hear a message of hope and life, He continued preaching in the synagogues throughout Galilee (4:44). In a day where people are obsessed with a physical healing from God (or their pastor), the greater emphasis should be concerning the condition of the heart. Without the life changing message of the gospel, a changed body means nothing. All pastors and leaders should make a daily commitment to displaying God’s glory through faithfully preaching the sufficiency of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for our sins.
Dear God, may Your power be evidenced through Your miraculous works and the preaching of the gospel.
