Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34 (NIV)
Jesus Heals Many
14 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.”
Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men
28 When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29 “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” 30 Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” 32 He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33 Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
When Jesus was questioned as to whether he was the Messiah, he claimed that he was, because his healings fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 35. Today’s reading looks at a few of these healings. Notice how Jesus’ healings are welcomed and sought out by some and feared by others. How could this be? Think of it this way. If you met somebody who claimed to be God, and then proved it by astonishing healings, you could no longer be a casual follower. Such a person would deserve your total devotion – he would have a claim on everything in your life. And when we are bound in sin, we don’t want to let go of running our own lives! In your prayer, seek a heart that is open to both healing, and the total Lordship of Jesus.