Matthew 8: 14 – 17 “When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother – in – law lying in bed with a fever. 15. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. 16. When evening came, many who were demon – possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah, “he took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
Simon Peter lived in Capernaum. Even today, if you visit Capernaum, you can see Peter’s house with the Catholic church that has been developed over the ruins. Capernaum was on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee and had a population of about 1500 during the time of Jesus.
Jesus had just come from teaching at what is now referred to as the Mount of the Beatitudes, just a short distance from Capernaum. Undoubtedly, Peter was thrilled to be the one hosting Jesus. But there was a problem. Peter’s mother – in – law, who lived with them, was sick. Perhaps she had typhoid or malaria or some other illness. At any rate, Jesus merely touched her hand and she made an instant recovery. Like any good housewife faced with an honored guest, she immediately hopped up and began taking care of Jesus.
By that evening, the word had gone out throughout the village. It’s likely that some of the people who had been listening to Jesus had also followed him over to Capernaum; after all, he had already healed a leper and just that morning he had healed the centurion’s servant merely by speaking a word. And they were not disappointed!
Peter’s house and the courtyard outside was packed with people! It appeared that everyone from several surrounding villages had heard about Jesus and had come to see what might happen. They saw a lot! Jesus drove out demons with a single word and healed every single sick person who showed up. There were other times and other places where Jesus could do very little because of people’s lack of faith but in Capernaum that night faith was evident and deliverance and healing came to everyone who needed it.
Sometimes we aren’t very comfortable with the idea of demon possession. We have all kinds of explanations. The truth is that there are demons and that people can become demon – possessed. That’s the problem. But Jesus and the power in His Name is the answer. We can call upon the Name of Jesus and ask Him to help us, to deliver us, and to save us. But we must ask sincerely. Jesus will deliver you, but if you insist on returning to the same sins that led you into trouble in the first place, the demons can also return.
PRAYER: Father God, deliver us from ourselves! Deliver us from our pride, from our presumption, and from the sins that so easily ensnare us! Help us to choose you and to follow hard after you all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of Jesus. Amen.
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