Read Luke 4: 38-44
First I would like to share a reference point of the subject we read in todays passage. The reason why people waited until sunset was because it was the day of the Sabbath. For Jews, the sabbath day starts from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. And to honor the law, no work must be done during that time, and this is why no one had brought their sick to Jesus until later.
Although this is the case for the Jews, what I find interesting is that Jesus healed Simon’s mother-in-law during the Sabbath. Why didn’t he wait until sunset? I could speculate, but I would rather hear comments from you. Why do you believe Jesus didn’t wait until sunset to heal Simon’s mother-in-law? Was she deathly ill with a fever? Was Jesus doing this to put words into action (so people could spread the news about what happened)? Let me know.
Also, the bible (NIV) says that Jesus REBUKED the fever.. and then it left her. First of all, what do you think of when you hear the word rebuke? It just doesn’t sound to me like a word you normally would use for healing someone. Why couldn’t Luke use a word that could be translated more like.. “.. so he bent over her and healed the fever”. Instead, he uses a very descriptive “rebuked” word. Rebuke means to sharply disapprove or criticize. So what I read is that he sharply disapproved or criticized the fever?
To be honest, as much as I could focus on the one word rebuke, it is what happens after he healed her that is pretty impressive. Typically there is a recovery time when your body goes through any type of serious trauma or illness. The mother-in-law, however, was healed to the point that she picked herself up and began to wait on them. Once again, I would love to have been a spectator. Here, a woman laid in her bed with a cold sweat, probably shivering from the fever. Then Jesus says some sharp words and BAM, she wipes off the sweat with a towel, throws on an apron, and starts serving drinks. It makes me realize that our health is a gift from God. And because of our health, we should bless others with a servant heart just as the mother-in-law experienced.
Now that the word is spreading throughout Capernaum, people line up with their sick after sunset (saturday night). Jesus lays hands on everyone of them and healing them. Some of those were possessed by demons and in the process of getting their walking papers from peoples bodies, they would shout out, “you are the Son of God”. What does Jesus do in reply. He “rebukes” them. In other words, I believe he tells them to shut up and get out of town. Now why wouldn’t Jesus allow the demons to share with the crowd who he really is? After all, he is what they say he is.
No, he chose to muzzle their comments because it wasn’t the right time. I believe Jesus wanted people to SEE a servant heart from a true leader and truly understand that God is here to help people and not sit on a throne and dictate rules and laws. And I think the demons knew exactly what they were doing when they called out who he really was. The demons thought that if the word spread too quickly that he truly is the Son of God, this could have short circuited and ruined his mission. Little did they know.
What does this passage say to you?
This blog is only as good as the comments that are shared. I claim that I am not a pastor by any measure, rather someone who wants to learn and share the bible with others (I’m more like the Tim Taylor of the bible for those who are “Home Improvement fans.. you have been warned). What will make this study strong are the “constructive” comments others share each day as they read this. What the bible says to me may be different to you depending on your journey. So I encourage you to share how this passage speaks to you.
