The Miraculous Messiah – The First Five Miracles
At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him. Mark 1:32-34
In the last four devotions, we considered Jesus’s first recorded miracles, three of which involved healing individuals. Following these events, Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record a great outpouring of Jesus’s grace. “The whole city was gathered together at the door” for healing.
When we see the effects of sin and Satan’s work in our lives, we may consider questions like, “Why would God let this happen?” Perhaps we have friends like Job who voice those questions, “Call out now; is there anyone who will answer you?” (Job 5:1) Reflect on the Scripture reading. Jesus’ healing miracles clearly display His boundless love. The sun had set, and Jesus was at His friends’ house, probably ready for evening rest when a great number of people came to the door. And Jesus, the Great Physician, is always on-call. Despite doing nothing to earn or deserve His care, Jesus healed the needy multitude of Capernaum. Christ’s compassion is far beyond human understanding.
“Where is your God?” He took time from an already busy day to heal the sick and demon-possessed who seek His mercy. He lived a perfect life in our place. He bled and died on the cross to atone for the sins of the world. Now, He sits at the right hand of the Father, caring for us every day. We pray with Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17: “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.”
Thus might I hide my blushing face
While His dear cross appears,
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
And melt mine eyes in tears.
The Lutheran Hymnal 154:4