Needing Healing
30 Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. (Mark 1:30-34)
After Jesus cast out a demon from a man in the synagogue, Andrew and Simon invited Jesus to their home and told him about Simon's mother-in-law who was sick with a fever. Jesus simply took her by the hand and she was restored. By that evening it seemed that all of those who were ill in body or mind were gathered outside the door, wanting and needing healing. And Jesus did just that.
Word had traveled quickly after Jesus healed the man in the synagogue from the spirit that was possessing him. People didn't wait for permission or approval from their faith leaders. They also didn't go to Jesus wanting an eloquent speech, or theological understanding. They went to Jesus with pure hope in the possibility of healing, freedom, and reconciliation. Because healing their ailments wouldn't just make them feel better, but would restore them to their family and community - as disease of any type often would have brought shame and separation.
Do we still stand at the threshold, waiting for healing? What keeps us from giving Jesus our hand and being restored? If we let go of the constrictions and preconceptions we have for what healing must look like, and take hold of pure hope in the healing that Jesus will give, we will be restored, we will be made whole,
we will be healed.
1 Praise the LORD! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. 2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. 5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. 6 The LORD lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground. 7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre. 20c Praise the LORD! (Psalm 147: 1-7, 20c)
