they interceded with him about her
It was not the case that Jesus was unaware or even unconcerned about the severe fever afflicting Simon's mother-in-law. Yet it does seem that he waited for others to intercede before healing her. We might be tempted to imagine that he was indifferent and had to be persuaded until he finally acted, much like the unjust judge. But was is it not more likely the case the he reserved some gifts until they were asked of him? Then those who asked would share a certain agency, a secondary causality in the healing, becoming themselves instruments of the love of Jesus. Then too they would be more likely to return with thanksgiving for a gift given. Jesus calls us to become intercessors, not because he doesn't know all the needs of the entire world, or because he doesn't care, but because he wants us involved and not indifferent. We would otherwise perhaps begin to take for granted and treat lightly the great graces he desired to give.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (see First Timothy 2:1-4).
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At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him.
He laid his hands on each of them and cured them.
Jesus healed all who were brought to him. And this is still true today, even if to us healings seem to be the exception rather than the rule. There are places in world where the manifestation of physical healing is more common and evident. In many ways we might suspect that we have become so indoctrinated by materialism as to find our own faith too limited. We have so many alternatives to the need to rely on our faith, and sometimes we simply chose not to do so. But there are certainly cases of devout faith seeking healing and not finding immediate and complete physical restoration. We should remain confident in these cases that an apparent delay is not a negative answer, that something has already begun to happen in the spirit of the one who is sick, something that will inevitably lead to their physical renewal, if not in this life, then at the resurrection. For our part, we can keep praying, keep inviting the reality of that resurrected life to more and more fill even our present moment in history. But we can do this with confidence rather than desperation, knowing that Jesus "laid his hands on each of them and cured them".
But he said to them, "To the other towns also
I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God,
because for this purpose I have been sent."
How much they must have desired him to stay! Then the would never again need to fear sickness, because they could keep their continual procession of the sick coming before him for healing. But Jesus had a higher purpose than to ensure the perfect health of individuals during their mortal life. He came to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God. The healings he performed were pointing toward a deeper and more lasting freedom, a true year of jubilee.
While we wait and pray for the Kingdom to come it is wonderful to think that for us the presence of Jesus is no longer limited to a single physical point on the earth, but that he is present with in so many ways all throughout the world. And therefore, while physical healing may not be the main point of his mission, there is nothing to prevent us from seeking it, as he indeed desires us to do. We know that our prayers will be answered only insofar as they agree with the purpose of Jesus himself. But we know for sure that in the end, when the Kingdom comes in fullness, we will want for nothing.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (see Revelation 21:4).
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