Jesus heals many people Luke 4:38-41
Imaginative Contemplation
Enter into the scene
Simon’s mother-in-law.
I had been feeling unwell for several days, but this day I was just too sick to get up at all. Tossing on my bed, I had a thumping head ache and the thought of food made me feel sick. All I wanted was a quiet dark room. But there was no such thing. Simon, my boisterous son-in-law was inviting his friends in for lunch. Well, they will have to fend for themselves! I was too sick to do anything. Just as well I had baked that bread last night.
I heard the crowd arrive, and then a silence fell. Simon must have told them that I was sick. Then there was a gentle knock at the door, and Jesus appeared. ‘Can I come in?’ he asked. I didn’t want visitors, but I couldn’t say no to him, could I? He took my shaky hand in his strong one. I felt a strange sensation roll over me. My head ache was gone, and I felt energy returning to my sweating body. My vision cleared, the pounding in my head stopped and I reached out in surprise. ‘What did you do?’ I asked. ‘Oh, I just made you better,’ he said, and I sensed his delight at my response to the cure.
Well, I got up and went to the kitchen where a few of his friends were messing about. I told them all to get out of my kitchen and I took over my queenship of the area. Soon Simon and his friends, and of course, Jesus, were enjoying a hearty meal. And I was able to enjoy my food for the first time in many days. So I said to Jesus, ‘You can come again!’ ‘Thanks!’ he replied. ‘I will!’
The afternoon passed peacefully and pleasantly. We were soon ready for dinner – even I was ready for dinner! We had a lovely relaxed time with lots of stories and laughter.
Soon after sundown I could hear people coming up the road towards our place. I recognised some of the voices – the deaf man who shouts at his family next door, the old lady who finds it so hard to walk, the little boy who sometimes has a fit, much to his parents’ anguish. Then the chanting began; ‘We want Jesus! We want Jesus’ I could feel Jesus responding to their cries. ‘What do they want?’ we asked each other. ‘I think I know,’ said Jesus quietly. He got up and went outside to meet them. Soon we could hear him moving among the crowd, and everywhere he went, there was a hush, and then excited cries of ‘I’m healed!’ ‘I can walk!’ ‘I can hear!’ ‘My pain has gone!’
I’m so pleased that Simon has found such a wonderful companion. Jesus is just such a good friend and does so much good to everyone. Yes, he is so very special!
For further reflection
Discuss with Jesus the following points:
· How did the disciples feel when they realised that Simon’s mother-in-law was ill?
· How did the sick lady feel when she heard the visitors arrive?
· How do I deal with awkward situations?
· How did Jesus react to the crowd that gathered in the evening?
· How can I help people in need?
Prayer
Lord, teach me to be generous,
to give and not to count the cost,
to labour and not to seek reward. May I know your love deep in my heart. Amen.