When Jesus came into Peter’s home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him. When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES.”

Peter’s mother-in-law was healed from an undisclosed illness. With a simple touch of the hand, this incident is presented as commonplace. Further we notice Jesus’ healing was instantaneous and effective. The woman got up and began to serve with no apparent delay of time!

The Lord also healed many others, whether it was casting out demons or curing sicknesses. In each case He simply and effortlessly spoke “a word.” Such is the absolute authority He held over both demons and human health. This shouldn’t surprise us who in hindsight know Him to be God in the flesh, but for the Jews these things needed substantiation from OT scripture. So Matthew, the author, quotes Isaiah 53:3 to show these things identify Jesus as the Messiah.

Rather than seeing these as confirmatory signs, some Christians today assert that passages like this mean we also can see great healings now—if we simply have faith enough. Such an interpretation might seem reasonable (and exciting!), but Biblical history and honest observation speak otherwise. First, while it is clear that at this time many were healed, this was not the case for the entire ministry of Jesus on earth. Sometimes He performed few miracles because of unbelief (Matt 13:58). Second, while it is clear that early in the church’s existence the apostles performed many miracles (Acts 5:14-16), things changed over time. Paul himself was not healed of his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7-9). Hardly would any conclude the great Apostle lacked faith (see Acts 14:9-10). He left Trophimus sick in Miletus (2 Tim 4:20) and recommended Timothy take “a little wine for the stomach’s sake” (1 Tim 5:23). Third, if we Christians were given this power to miraculously heal all who have faith, then we should easily empty the hospitals of at least all Christians. Yet, even the loudest of “faith healers” wear glasses and eventually die.

On a side note, this passage, along with 1 Cor 9:6, shows that Peter was not celibate, therefore undermining the notion that someone in vocational Christian work must be unmarried.

Lord, You are the great Healer and I come to You with all my difficulties. I trust You whether You heal me nor not, for You are the Authority over all my life.