The Hands Of Jesus: Matthew 8:14-18
Matthew 8:14-18
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Matthew 8:14-18
“(14) And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. (15) And He touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. (16) 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: (17) That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and are our sicknesses. (18) Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about Him, He gave commandment to depart unto the other side.”
“And He touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. “ Matthew 8:15
Matthew 8:14-15
“(14) And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. (15) And He touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.”
The Hands of Jesus
After Jesus heals the centurion’s servant, He visits Peter’s home, where He finds Peter’s mother-in-law sick with a fever. Jesus touches her hand, and the fever leaves her immediately. The scripture says, “she arose, and ministered unto them.”
Her Fever Left
The word ministered in this situation tells us that she served them. Here is a picture of a woman who was sick with a fever, and as soon as she is better, she uses her renewed strength to serve others. This depicts so much in this one action of healing. This woman had a fever and shortly after was feeling so much better that not only was she okay, but she was ready to serve others.
Her Strength Was Restored
If you have ever experienced a fever, you know that it can come with multiple layers of complications that accompany it. A few to mention are weakness, light-headedness, confusion, headache, and body aches, including the infection or sickness that had caused the fever in the first place. When Jesus heals, He restores the person entirely, even her strength and energy.
She Immediately Served
There are times we pray and ask for healing, but that individual does not heal physically. In this situation, the woman was healed physically, and she continued to serve the Lord and her house. We all have a purpose; how we fulfill that purpose and grow spiritually strong to discern God’s purpose for our lives is one path that each individual will take at their own pace and time.
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12
Our Physical Healing Has A Purpose
Often we ask, “Why were our prayers not answered? Why did that person pass away from their ailments?” There is something we have to understand: we look only to the physical, but God sees so much more. God sees the purpose for each person, and He is perfect with His timing.
Our Spiritual Condition Is Critical
As unfortunate as it may be, when we lose a loved one, we should be concerned about whether they knew the Lord as their Savior. If they did, they were ultimately healed, just not in a sense that we typically think of healing. God healed them; He gave them a new body that will never see a day of sickness again and is eternally with their Lord and Savior.
Every Circumstance Has A Purpose
I have personally lost loved ones to death’s door that were very close to me, as many of us have. There are a few types: either sudden or unexpected deaths, and the ones where we can be with them as they gracefully prepare for eternal life. I have had complete confusion and wanted to know answers, and another time where I felt complete peace, praying for comfort as they slipped into eternity. What comforts us during those times we are separated from our loved ones is that if they knew the Lord Jesus as their Savior, they will live eternally. And if we know we have salvation through Jesus Christ, we can be certain that this time of absence is just a short time compared to the reunion we will experience for eternity.
God Has A Purpose
When a person is healed after being on death’s door, God is not done with them yet. God allows us to experience certain hardships sometimes that may either bring us closer to Him or give us life experience so that we may become a voice and testimony to others. We are to share our testimony with others. The things that God does for our lives, we ought to be so excited to share those moments.
Peter’s mother-in-law was healed of her sickness. Jesus used this as an opportunity for a miraculous witness, but He also knew that this woman still had more love to give by serving others.
Sharing Her Testimony Of Jesus
Imagine the stories she was able to share with those she served about having the opportunity to meet Jesus, the Son of God! As she goes to the market and runs into her usual merchant, they ask how she is doing, and that is the open invitation for her to begin telling them of her experience with Jesus.
What about another possible time when she may have been surrounded by her grandchildren, and as she was mending clothes, tells them of the time she met Jesus and how, just by a touch of His hand, she was healed and had renewed strength to begin serving Him.
Each Day Is Our Living Testimony
God has the perfect timing, even if someone unfortunately passes away. When this happens, we celebrate their life and remember that person and all the good memories we had with them. We remember their love for God. Sometimes a passing will lead to others questioning their own salvation and where they will spend eternity. This can lead so many more to know Jesus.
God Has A Purpose For Every Season
God has a purpose and plan for our lives. We should focus on how we can serve others in the time and place where we are.
I have had the opportunity to experience multiple careers at different times, all when I needed them the most. During those times, God still used them as learning experiences. Some were harder challenges than I would like to admit, but when I stopped to refocus on God, He would pick me back up and show me the direction and way to conquer that challenge in the way He wanted me to handle it and not the tantrum-messy way I wanted to.
Hahahha
Jesus didn’t just come to heal the sick because one day they will pass away. Their sins still need to be forgiven. Healing the physical being is so vitally important. This body is the only one we will have throughout our lives, and we should make every effort to care for it, fuel it with the best nutrition, and exercise regularly to keep us fit.
Although our physical body is just as important, we should not overlook our spiritual being.
Are we taking the time to care for our spirit as we should? Our physical body needs physical, nutritious food, while our soul thirsts for a relationship with our Heavenly Father and to know Him better each day, to grow in our spiritual mindset.
Before you go, let’s pray together…
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for this day, for this devotion that focuses our attention on our spiritual needs. Forgive us our sins; reveal to us the sins we have grown to accept as normal; refine us so that we may help others. Remind us that every day is a gift from you, one that we can continue to stand in the spiritual battle, to light the path so others may be guided to You, Lord Jesus. I ask that anyone who does not know You as their Lord and Savior, that they will seek You until their salvation is sealed and their name written in the eternal Lamb’s Book of Life. Thank You for this devotion of reminding us that anything is possible with You. Every day and circumstance we experience is to add to our testimony not of what we have done, but the miraculous works of healing that You have done within us. Father, I ask if any is sick, if it’s Your will to heal and restore their strength. Let us be reminded we live our testimony each day, to be a light in this dark world; may our words, decisions, and actions be a reflection of You, Lord Jesus. We ask this in Jesus’ holy name, Amen.
Quick and humbling note:
Some Bible studies may take longer than others, as I am often led to explain certain verses in greater detail. I want you to know that these blog posts are written straight from my heart - they are not created by AI, so if you pay close attention, you may find my little nuggets of imperfections! What you read here are my own thoughts and reflections, guided by God, who leads me.
I am not a professional; I’m simply a southern wife and mother of five with a deep desire to share the truth of our loving Heavenly Father. He loves you, and He longs to have a relationship with you. We are not called to perfection, but we are called to be led by Him and be consistent.
God has placed so much on my heart to share, and my prayer is that these words bless and encourage you. I’m not here for recognition or fame - only to spread the message of God’s love to you, my new friend, and to our Creative Journey growing community.
