“And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed 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.
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.”
After leaving the synagogue, Jesus goes to Simon’s house. It is a simple, ordinary setting, a home. A family concern. Simon’s mother-in-law is sick with a fever, and they tell Jesus about her.
He goes to her, takes her by the hand, and lifts her up. The fever leaves immediately, and she begins to serve them.
It is a quiet moment, but it reveals something important. Jesus is not only present in public spaces or dramatic situations. He enters into the ordinary places of life and brings restoration there too. Nothing is too small to bring to Him.
By evening, the scene changes. Word has spread, and now the whole city gathers at the door. People are bringing the sick and those troubled by unclean spirits. One by one, Jesus heals and casts out demons. The scale is different, but the pattern is the same.
Jesus sees, He acts, and people are made whole.
Still, He does not let the moment define His mission. Early the next morning, while it is still dark, He goes to a desolate place to pray. When the disciples find Him, they tell Him that everyone is looking for Him. It would have been easy to stay, to continue the momentum, to build something centered on His growing popularity.
Instead, Jesus says,
“Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”
His work is not driven by demand, but by purpose. He has come to bring the good news of God’s kingdom, and He will not be redirected from that. Jesus came not just to relieve temporal suffering, but to save and give eternal life.
Sometimes, we need to be reminded of that as well. We get frustrated when God doesn’t heal us or relieve our temporal suffering. However, Jesus gives something greater. If you are healed sickness will come again. If you have relief, suffering will return. However, Jesus promises a life in Christ which even now has great purpose and joy and, when Jesus’ returns, will end all sickness and suffering forever. Our hope is greater.
Then a man with leprosy comes to Him.
In that time, leprosy was more than a disease. It separated people from community and worship. To be a leper was to live on the outside, cut off and alone. Think back to Covid and you start to get a sense of what they went through, except for them it wasn’t a few months or a couple of years.
The man kneels before Jesus and says,
“If you will, you can make me clean.”
There is no doubt in his words about Jesus’ ability. The question is whether Jesus is willing.
Jesus responds in a way that would have surprised everyone watching. He reaches out and touches him.
That touch matters. It is not required for healing, but it is given anyway. Before the man is restored physically, he is met personally. Then Jesus speaks, and immediately the leprosy is gone.
“I will; be clean.”
This passage shows us something essential about Jesus.
He has power, but it is not distant or detached. His power is joined with compassion. He does not stand far off from those who suffer. He draws near.
At the same time, His mission is larger than any single moment. He heals, but He also moves forward, bringing the good news wherever He goes.
For us, this means we can bring both the ordinary struggles of daily life and the deeper burdens we carry. Nothing is too small, and nothing is too far gone.
And when we wonder whether He is willing to help, this passage gives a clear answer.
He is.
And we can also bring comfort and Christ into the lives of others, both in the big struggles and the small, daily struggles. Jesus is there for your neighbor as well.
Let’s pray…
Lord Jesus,
You see what is broken and You have the power to restore. Help me to trust Your compassion and to bring my needs before You. Keep me rooted in Your Word and Your purpose, knowing that You are both willing and able to help.
Amen.
As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:
After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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