Carries our Diseases

"When Jesus went to Peter's house, he saw that Peter's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever. Jesus touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she stood up and began to serve Jesus. That evening people brought to Jesus many who had demons. Jesus spoke and the demons left them, and he healed all the sick. He did these things to bring about what Isaiah the prophet had said: 'He took our sufferings on him and carried our diseases.'

Matthew 8:14-17 NCV

Have you ever been down with a fever? Your body feels miserable and so weak. A fever is caused by the body fighting off an infection by either a virus or a bacteria. In those days, a fever could mean death or a matter of time while the body's defenses fought it off. No one could do anything but wait. Even with today's antibiotics, it takes several hours for the fever to come down, and still more time to get our energy back.

So it was no small or shabby miracle when Jesus touched the mother-in-law's hand and the fever left. Still more amazing was that she got up and started serving right away.

Allot of healing went on that night. Matthew tells us that it was a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:4. I've never thought of this passage before in relation to physical diseases, maybe because the OT version says "surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows" ESV. But I like this image of a loving and caring Shepherd who even today can be strength and comfort in times of sickness.

Thank you Lord that you carry my diseases, now may I stand up and serve.