Jesus has had a big day. He went to the synagogue in the morning where he was confronted by a demoniac from whom he cast out the demon. Then for lunch, he headed over to Peter's, but found Peter's mother-in-law sick in bed. So Jesus heals her and she apparently finishes fixing lunch.
Now it is sundown...
Mark 1:32-34 32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to Jesus all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 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.
Jesus doesn't walk through a town going door to door healing people. He heals those who come to him - those who are brought to him. So if you were in denial - or if your family or friends were in denial that you were sick - spiritual or physically - then you probably stayed home and missed getting healed that day.
There is something to admitting we need help - both to ourselves and others!
There is something to having friends who will tell us when we need help!
There is something to having friends who will take us to get help!
I have seen spouses ignore that their other half needs help. Instead they overlook the disease (bad behavior, addictions, even physical illness) and enable it - letting it affect children and others in their wake. I have seen churches ignore that there are congregants - even leaders - desperately needing help. Instead they overlook the problem letting it affect the kingdom of God - hurting the community that needs to see the hands and feet of Jesus through that church.
Why do we do this? Often to be kind or nice. But really we are only enabling the situation to spiral downward. It takes a lot of courage to say, "I need help" and a whole lot more to lovingly and kindly say "You need help too." It is often met with rejection. But do it anyway - if you can do it from a heart of love.
"They brought to Jesus" those who needed help. You know, you don't have to be perfect to bring someone to Jesus for help. It isn't as if you are better than them - it isn't as if you have it all figured out. You are probably going to be leaning on each other the whole way there. But this is how God made us - to help each other find the source of healing and wholeness.
Who needs you to be bold enough to bring them to Jesus today?
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This story through the eyes of the other writers of the gospel...
Matthew 8:16-17 16 That evening they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities and bore our diseases."
Luke 4:40-41 40 As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of diseases brought them to him; and he laid his hands on each of them and cured them. 41 Demons also came out of many, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Messiah.
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