Note: This series is written as a first-person narrative in order to present Jesus in the context he walked with the unknown disciple that narrates presenting my thoughts and sparking more thoughts with his questions. Enjoy.
We had an open invitation to the home of Simon and Andrew, so after the synagogue, we went there. They met Jesus at the door, telling him that Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a bad fever. Fevers are common and often serious, I can see why they were worried.
Jesus entered her room, walked to her bed and gently touched her hand. The fever left her, energy returning, she got up and began to wait on Jesus. Caring for him in gratitude.
Surprise Visitors
As the Sabbath came to a close that evening, there was a knock at the door. A demon-possessed man was brought to Jesus. Many were bringing people in need of Jesus to the house after hearing of what happened in the synagogue earlier.
They had hope that something could finally be done to help them. Jesus didn’t turn any away. He drove out spirits with just a word.
Gentiles would use incantations or appeal to a higher ranked spirit to drive out a lower one. Jewish exorcists tried magic attributed to Solomon or bad smells. Jesus was doing it with a one-word command. What kind of authority is this?
All the sick were healed, no one left in the same state that they came in. I remembered the prophet Isaiah’s words (Isaiah 53:4): “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.” It was where everything starts to get restored, people and the world.
Was Jesus the one Isaiah spoke of?
Before Daylight
When I woke up the next morning it was still dark. Everyone was here, except Jesus. As the others awoke, we wondered where he went. Simon suggested we look for him.
We found him, praying alone, in a quiet place outside of town. Simon exclaimed, “Everyone is looking for you!”
Ignoring that, Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”
He had made an impact in Capernaum and decided it was time to move on. We began our travels through Galilee, and about halfway through, Simon, Andrew, James, and John returned to Capernaum to continue fishing.
We stuck around, listening to Jesus, watching him teach in the synagogues and drive out every demon that crossed his path. We circled back around towards Capernaum.
Matthew 8:14-17; Mark 1:29-39
A Ronin's Journey 