"This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)The people were completely amazed by Jesus’ authority in his teaching. The Jewish teachers whom the people were used to hearing usually quoted from well-known rabbis or gave the opinions of predecessors in order to give their words more authority. Jesus did not merely give his opinion; he proclaimed His authority. He demonstrated His authority when He cast the demon from the possessed man. This is the first of Jesus’ miracles that Luke recorded.
Jesus displayed power that no one had ever experienced before. He had authority and power so that with his words alone he could make a demon flee in fear. This amazed the people in the synagogue that day. Their amazement became headline news as the story spread like wildfire.
Jesus left the synagogue and went to Simon’s home. Simon was another name for Peter.
Simon Peter’s mother-in-law was very sick with a high fever. There is no mention of a specific illness, but a malaria-type of fever was common to this region because of marshes near the mouth of the Jordan River. The Greek word for “fever” in the noun form is also the word for “fire”; thus, she was burning with a severe fever.
Jesus “rebuked” the fever, and her temperature returned to normal at his command. Jesus’ power and authority were again emphasized as Luke pointed out what Jesus did with only a word. Jesus healed Simon’s (Peter’s) mother-in-law so completely that not only did the fever leave, but her strength was restored, and she got up at once and prepared a meal for them. Her healing was so complete it was as if she had never been ill.
News had spread quickly about Jesus’ healing powers, so the people brought sick family members to Jesus. No sickness stumped him, no disease was beyond his ability to cure; no sickness was too disgusting for the touch of his hand.
We then read that Jesus went out into the wilderness. During his ministry on earth, Jesus was in constant contact with the Father. Jesus had to get up very early just to get some time alone. If Jesus needed solitude for prayer and refreshment, how much more is this true for Christians today?
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
"Jesus said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26 (ASV)
Jesus has the power to accomplish all I can pray and all I can imagine and hope for by faith. He can heal a relationship. He can resurrect a career. He can reach the hardest of hearts. He can bring new life. He can make a way for us. He can protect us. He can provide for us. He can give us power and self discipline. He can, He can, He can.
Lord, by faith and for Your honor and Your glory, make COV into a church where people are being saved and where people are growing spiritually and where people can't/don't get comfortable or apathetic or complacent. Make COV a place where there is life and hope and love. Make COV a place where miracles take place. Make COV a place where families are built and marriages are strengthened. Make COV a place where kids and students are growing in their love for you. Make COV into a lighthouse of the San Ramon Valley.
Make COV a place where people don't have to wear masks or pretend. Make COV a place where it's cool to be courageous and bold for Jesus. Make COV a place where gossip and slander are confronted. Make COV where lukewarmness is intolerable. Make COV a place where forgiveness abounds. Make COV a place where pride and haughtiness is dwarfed by humble and sincere hearts. Make COV a place where people are being trained for the ministry. Make COV a place where we buck the trend of modern day secularism. Make COV a place where people are intellectually challenged.
AMEN!
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