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Matthew 8:16-17
It is most likely that the word had spread across the countryside that Jesus had healed Peter’s mother-in-law. People from all around brought to Jesus those who were demon-possessed that Jesus might heal them too. One may speculate that the sickness Peter’s mother-in-law had was demon-possession, but the text does not clarify that detail, only that after Jesus healed her, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him to be healed. This was to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 53:4 as we learn from Matthew 8:17.
This is a promise and example that Jesus came to take our sicknesses and “infirmities” upon Himself to heal us from not just sin but the effects of sin.
Jesus continues to put into action His teachings from Matthew 5-7 and show that He is more powerful than the Law that God gave to Moses. In saving the world from sin and the effects of it, He must also show His dominance over the demon-possessed as He heals many who were brought to Him. In seeing these events, the people of the day would have had plenty of reasons to put their faith in Him as the Messiah. Today, we have this documented proof of the power of Jesus. We have an even more strengthened relationship with Him through our faith in Him as Jesus teaches us in John 20:29 as He tells His disciple Thomas, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (NKJV). And the proof that we need from God’s word is strengthened in John 20:30-31 which states, “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
Dear LORD,
The Apostle Paul teaches us in Romans 6:10, “For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The Prophet Isaiah declares, “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses” (Isaiah 53:4). Please help us to see that Jesus is more powerful than anything we may face in this world, and that He is waiting for us to give Him all the issues we face today so that He may help us through them. Please let it be so LORD. In Jesus name I pray, amen.