healing – Page 2 – Be Still…

Matthew 8:14-17 – Be Healed!

This passage has always made me smile. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t Jesus’ intention to be fed when he stopped by Peter’s house. But it was a divine appointment. We aren’t told how long Peter’s mom had been bed-ridden. We aren’t told if Peter asked Jesus to come help. Peter would have witnessed Jesus healing people. Do you think he asked for his own mom’s healing?

Jesus didn’t have to be asked. He simply touched her hand. His healing touch was instantaneous. Being a good Jewish mother, she would have been on the ready to make her guests feel welcome. What better way than with food. Her illness was now a distant memory.

Matthew 8:5-13 – Faithfulness

Read Matthew 8:5-13

What surprised you about today’s reading? Was it that a Roman officer approached Jesus for help? Was it that a Roman soldier surprised Jesus with his faith? Was it that a child was healed without Jesus even being present? This story is full of amazing details like that.

It is a story of faith. Bold, unquestioning faith. The officer knew that Jesus had power. Because of the power he had in his line of work, he knew what it was to give an order and have it be accomplished. This Roman officer transferred this knowledge and knew that Jesus’ power could heal his child. Jesus was so powerful that his word from afar would do the trick. That is a great example of faithfulness!

Matthew 8:1-4 – Our Little Secret

Read Matthew 8:1-4

We hear that after coming down from the mountain large crowds followed Jesus. Well of course they did. Jesus had just rocked their world and given people a deeper understanding of what they had known the “law” to be. There were probably a lot of “light bulb moments” for those listening on the mountain hillside that day. Word would spread fast about this man, Jesus, who had taught them with such authority.

We learn that in the business world leaders with authority do much better than those without it. What gives a leader authority? When we look at Jesus’ example, we see a man who took control of the situation. He wasn’t wishy-washy with his message. He spoke with boldness. He knew what he was talking about. Who better to know the law than the one who helped write it! With this authority, Jesus will attract a lot more people to himself. Including the leper.

Matthew 4:23-25 – Do You Like Crowds?

Read Matthew 4:23-25

I am not much of a crowd person. I suppose it goes back to a time when I was in a parking ramp after a huge concert got out. It was bumper to bumper the whole way down…and I’m not a huge fan of parking ramps in the first place. But I do like the energy a crowd can bring when gathered for a common goal. Like in worship. When the music is so loud you can hardly hear yourself singing…but you know everyone around you is singing their heart out. I like that. When your football team scores a touchdown, and you’re in the stands shouting and jumping up and down with everyone else. I like that, too.

What are your feelings or thoughts about crowds? What do you picture when you see crowds around Jesus?

Luke 13:10-17 – Whenever

Read Luke 13:10-17

Jesus is always surprising us and acting “outside the box” of what was expected of a religious leader at that time. But Jesus was more than a religious leader, he was “Lord.” The religious leaders of the time were so caught up in tradition and rules made around the commands of God, they forgot how to be human.

It is so fitting that Jesus would heal on a Sabbath. There are some things that should have no restrictions. Healing would be one of those exceptions. Jesus felt compassion on a woman who had been severely crippled for 18 years. 18 years!! I’ve been married to the love of my life for 18 years, as I write this devotion, and while these have been 18 of the best years of my life, it’s a long time! Continue reading “Luke 13:10-17 – Whenever”