Thoughts for the Day

After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them.

As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. Demons also came out of many, shouting, ‘You are the Son of God!’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I always thought it was a bit mean that Simon's mother-in-law was healed of a high fever and then had to get up and to serve all the visitors that had invaded her house in Capernaum. But how we look at this little miracle is important, because it joins a number of others. In Luke's Gospel we read the story of a blind beggar who is healed (Luke 18.35-43). He calls Jesus "Son of David" and when Jesus heals him we learn that "he followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, praised God." While in the healing of the lame man at Bethesda (John 5.1-15) after picking up his mat the man contends with the authorities, insisting that it was Jesus who had made him well.

Many of these healings show us people who are so ecstatic at what Jesus has done that they just have to tell others what's happened. They can also praise God, pass the good news about onto others, be brave enough to stand up for Jesus, and as in Simon's mother-in-law's case get on with her day-to-day life - and tell the neighbours as soon as possible, no doubt.

Healing miracles always bring some kind of action, some kind of service. We might say they are for a purpose! Today, it's no different, whenever we are healed of an illness or injury, it's for a purpose. Our reaction should initially be one of thanks and praise, and secondly of how we can use the healing to continue God's work in the world.

Lord Jesus Christ,
if we or loved ones are sick,
may we turn to You for healing.
When things improve
may we never forget to thank You.
Help us to look again at our life
to see how we can engage with
Your work in the world.
Equally if we or loved ones are not healed
help us to see that Your plans
may be different from ours
and draw us even closer to You,
confident that we can tell others
that Your decision is always best.
Amen.