Matthew has joined Peter, Andrew, James, John, (and probably Philip and Nathanael), along with the group of other disciples following Jesus on his itinerant travels. Let’s walk with them through the grainfields—it’s time to eat!
Author: Sherry Slavit
After the healing miracle of the paralytic, Jesus travels out of the city to the sea side. Of course, the multitude follows him and he continues to teach them. In word and in deed, Jesus always shows the will of the Father.
After the marvelous outpouring of the Word of God in the Sermon on the Mount, the great power of God was energized to heal and deliver many. Again, we follow Jesus, this time to witness the healing of a leper in three of the gospel records. (The color of the words in the scripture indicates the information that is unique to that gospel: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The words in boldface give information that is recorded in all three gospels.) Let’s go!
We continue following Jesus throughout all Galilee as he heralded the good news, preaching and teaching the kingdom of God. Let’s take the trek up the mountain to listen in to the timeless truths of Jesus’ first recorded teaching.
Phew! That wonderful day (Following the Lord Jesus Christ: #22) ended rather late, and I was so thankful to let my head hit the pillow. But wait—what? We have to get up very early now to follow Jesus. Let’s go!
After Jesus had cast out an evil spirit in the synagogue, the action really started ramping up. Let’s follow Jesus and company over to Simon’s house.
Healing Simon’s Mother-in-Law
Matthew 8:14,15:
And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he (Jesus) saw his (Peter’s) wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever.
And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
Mark 1:29-31:
And forthwith (immediately – eutheōs), when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon (immediately – eutheōs) they tell him of her.
And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately (eutheōs) the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
Luke 4:38,39:
And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately (parachrēma) she arose and ministered unto them.
These three passages of scripture have many similarities, but each record adds some different valuable information. I’ve put the three together, noting the differences in red for Matthew’s gospel, blue for Mark, and green for Luke. The word, “immediately”, catches our eye and leads us through this miraculous event, the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law.
And immediately he arose and left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon (Peter) and Andrew, with James and John. Now Jesus saw Simon’s mother-in-law laying ill with a high fever, and immediately they told him of her and appealed to him on her behalf. And he came and stood over her and rebuked the fever and took (touched) her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her, and immediately she arose and began to serve them.
Imagine the joyous meal they must have shared together after all these marvelous happenings. But the day was not over yet!
Healing Many and Casting Out Devils
Matthew 8:16,17:
When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
Mark 1:32-34:
And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
And all the city was gathered together at the door.
And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
Luke 4:40,41:
Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
Imagine the scene as Jesus walked out the door of Simon’s home, moving calmly through the suffering crowd, laying his hands on each and all, ministering to every one exactly what was necessary. No pagan rituals, spells, or incantations here! He even rebukes the devil spirits that would disturb the ministering of God’s wholeness to those in need.
What a way to end a most significant Sabbath—with healing and deliverance in body and soul for all who were brought to Jesus. And as Matthew 8:17 declares, this marked the beginnings of the fulfillment of the prophecy regarding the promised redeemer spoken of in Isaiah:
Isaiah 53:4,5:
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
From our blessed vantage point today, we can see that as followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, we continue in his ministry to bless and heal all with the Word and the power of God in Christ in us. Let’s carry on with the joy of the Lord!
NEXT: Following the Lord Jesus Christ: #23 Let Down Your Nets!
PREVIOUS: Following the Lord Jesus Christ: #21 Teaching with Authority
Accompanied by Peter, Andrew, James, and John, Jesus began to teach the good news. We follow them into Capernaum to listen in.
Mark 1:21,22:
Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.
And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Let’s take up our walk again, following Jesus in the area of Capernaum where he had just publicly launched God’s call to the world that the kingdom of God had come.
After his narrow escape from Nazareth, Jesus moved his base of operations to Capernaum. We follow him there, thankful to be done with the violent mob who completely rejected his message.
Sometime around the end of June, 27 A.D. after the healing of the nobleman’s son in Cana of Galilee, Jesus needed to return to Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks, also called the Feast of Pentecost. We’re following along, of course!