Tag: Matthew 8:14-17
Day 5–Jesus made House Calls!
Scripture reading for May 22: Matthew 8:14-17 “And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve Him. That evening they brought to Him many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.””
Jesus loved to go where the hurting people were and bring healing to their souls and bodies. In this account, Jesus entered the home of Peter, one of the disciples, in the town of Capernaum. Jesus and His disciples had been ministering to the sick and healing people most of that day. In the house was Peter’s mother-in-law was lying sick. It is unclear if this was just a hospitality visit or if Peter had asked Jesus to come specifically to bring healing. Jesus, in compassion, reached out to touch the sick mother and her fever left immediately. Later that evening, many other people crowded around the house to seek healing and deliverance. Jesus reached out and spoke healing words to them and all were healed. Matthew states that in doing this, Jesus fulfilled prophetic Scripture from Isaiah 53:4.
As first responders and especially EMT’s and paramedics, we are often called to homes of hurting people. Sometimes we have a brief description of what is happening and other times the problem must be diagnosed through questions or deduction at the scene. Human touch is required and we must not act in fear, but faith to help the hurting. We must be gentle and caring, helping calm the emotions and facilitate timely treatment. As believers, it should comfort us to know that Jesus is with us and as we touch our patient, He is touching them too. Like Jesus, our goal is to see them raised up and able to serve again.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to demonstrate to us Your love and care for the diseased and sick. Thank You for meeting us where we live and reaching out to touch us when we are diseased. Thank You for the privilege of serving others where they work and live as You work with me. Amen.
Jesus’ view of demons
Scripture reading for January 10: Matthew 8
“And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve Him. That evening they brought to Him many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast out the spirits with a Word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”” Matthew 8:14-17
Our world works to try and explain everything naturally or scientifically. We are told sickness is the result of an infection or virus or failure in our immune system. Oppression and depression are treated with chemicals to raise our moods. Counseling or therapy seeks to deal with hidden past experiences or suppressed emotions. We have so called ‘experts’ in treating each disorder and believe that human ingenuity and medicine can overcome most things.
But Jesus Christ saw the world differently and brought a different approach to dealing with sickness, disease, and oppression. He recognized the spirit world and demons as real but under His authority. He reached out to touch those who were sick and His touch released them from the sickness. Peter’s mother-in-law was instantly healed of a fever and rose to serve Jesus and His disciples. This revelation motivated others who were hurting or had loved ones in distress to bring them to Jesus. The Scripture records Jesus healing them all and casting out demons by His command. He showed that He had authority over sickness and demons who would oppress men or women made in God’s image. This was foretold by Isaiah the prophet some seven hundred years before. (Isaiah 53:4)
What is your normal approach to sickness or disease or depression? Do you go to ‘experts’ first for help? Are you aware of Jesus’ approach and Scriptures that detail our authority and privilege to ask for healing and deliverance? Is there any change you should make to your world-view regarding these issues?
Prayer: Father, I am thankful that Jesus came and revealed Your heart towards those suffering with disease, sickness and oppression. Help me to overcome my natural tendencies to deal with everything my way or just as ‘experts’ tell me. Open my eyes to Your Word and authority in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Touch brings healing, a Word sets free!
Scripture reading for April 17th: Matthew 8, Psalm 76, Proverbs 14
Matthew 8: 14-17 “And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve Him. That evening they brought to Him many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.””
Jesus came to reveal the mercy and love of His Father in heaven to any and all who would receive Him. After ministering healing to a leper who came asking if He was willing to heal him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched the unclean man. Immediately he was set free! Next he ministered to the son of a Roman centurion who had appealed to Him in faith that Jesus could just say the Word and his son would be well. Jesus marveled at this Gentile’s faith! It was quickly rewarded with a Word from Jesus and results! Finally, Jesus visited Peter’s house and found his mother sick. Jesus touched her and she was instantly healed! Not only that, many from that region came and found mercy and healing! Those who believed found strong confidence and a fountain of healing and life in Jesus Christ!
Psalm 76:1-3 “In Judah God is known; His Name is great in Israel. His abode has been established in Salem, His dwelling place in Zion. There He broke the the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war.”
Prayer: Father God, Your Name is great and known to all who believe in Your Son, Jesus! Not only did You teach the Good News of Your Father’s mercy but You demonstrated His love for us in healing and casting out the forces of Satan. Through the Holy Spirit, I now have strong confidence in You and holy awe of Your love and power. Use me to share the Gospel in Word and deed, delivering many from death.
Proverbs 14:26-27 “In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and His children will have a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.”
Jesus took our illness and disease!
Scripture reading for July 8th: Matthew 8
Key Scriptures: Matthew 8:14-17 “And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve Him. That evening they brought to Him many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.””
Some in the church today declare that Jesus only came to forgive sins and that the healing miracles He did were just for the early church when He was with them. These gifts passed away with the first apostles. But Jesus clearly demonstrated the Gospel by healing the sick and delivering those bound with evil spirits. His authority to do these works was evident to all and was also evident in His disciples as they also were sent out on mission. This was all a fulfilment of prophecy recorded in Isaiah 53 and applied to Jesus and His ministry of healing and deliverance as He went into the places of need and where hurting people were. In fact, Matthew 8:2-3 records a leper with a statement for Jesus: “If you will, you can make me clean.” Jesus answered, “I will; be clean!” Jesus is willing and able and on His cross in His own body bore our sicknesses and diseases! Praise His Name!
Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.”
Faith Confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Jesus, Your Son, to bear our sins, sickness and disease in His own body on our behalf. Thank You for the full Gospel of healing and grace to forgive sins. Fill me with the Holy Spirit to preach that full Gospel and to see healing and deliverance and salvation from sins bondage.
Mark 16:15, 17-18 “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation. . . And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues’ they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”