Healing

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, ‘Everyone is searching for you.’ He answered, ‘Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.’ And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. Mark 1:29-45

Healing is a complicated word and for many, a very complicated process. Whether we are dealing with physical, mental or emotional injuries, we all know that very fun things have simple resolutions. Faith healers make claims otherwise, yet even when the wound closes up, there is still healing to do. Peter's mother-in-law gets up and served them, like she was expected to do. We don't know about her whole response, but I can imagine she was grateful and thrilled to be back. The word must have gotten out since so many then sought Jesus out. Jesus takes time to connect to God, even when he is exhausted by the demands of life. His gratitude was in relationship, on his knees in prayer. We often forget that haling comes in many expressions from serving and proclaiming to deep, quiet prayer.

Loving Creator, you heal us as we lie asleep

you mend our weary hearts and our sadden lives

restoring us so we might serve others again.

We feel the weight our of broken lives here

and fear we will never be whole once again

but you, O lord, have promised to restore us.

Come, Lord Jesus, with your mighty love today

so we might be strengthened for love and service

and carry healing and hope to our weary world. Amen.