Simon's mother in law

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Jesus leaves the synagogue and heads off to Simon (Peter)'s house. We haven't been introduced to Simon yet, but clearly he and Jesus met at some point. Oddly enough, tomorrow's passage includes Simon's call to discipleship, we would sort of expect that part to come first. At any rate, Peter's mother in law is sick and Jesus heals her. Then as the word spreads people from all over the town start bringing their sick relatives and friends for Jesus to heal. Like yesterday, evil spirits know who Jesus is, and Jesus tells them to be quiet.

Early the next day Jesus goes off alone for some quiet time and probably prayer. Jesus often took time alone during his ministry, but it never seems to have lasted long. At this point Jesus identifies his call as the call to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to many people. That calling keeps him from staying in any one place for too long. We see the same pattern in the apostles in Acts. It seems that both for Jesus and for the early church the main goal is to spread the good news that God's kingdom is coming as widely as possible. What do you think that calling might look like for us today?

blessings,
Sam

Luke 4:38-44
38After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. 39Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them. 40As 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. 41Demons 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.

42At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. 43But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.