It’s familiar territory for us to read about Jesus travelling around, speaking of the Kingdom being present, healing every sickness and delivering people from demonic activity. Of course. We know that. Today, we might hear of thousands coming to Jesus and being baptized. Maybe these reports are from places far away, even in a different country. Okay. We read about these happenings. It’s substantially different, however, when this happens near us, or to someone in our family.
The disciples were with Jesus when these miraculous things took place. Many times, in many places around Galilee. There is, as far as I can remember, only one instance, when Jesus’ healing power went out to a family member of one of his disciples. It’s a very short mention, but I think it was massively impactful. Peter’s mother-in-law was bedridden with a high fever. Apparently, the plan was for Jesus and the twelve to have dinner at Peter’s home. On arrival, they noticed that nothing had been prepared as Peter’s wife was pre-occupied with being a nurse to her mother. Peter was probably embarrassed about the situation and instantly began thinking of a plan ‘B.’ Maybe Jesus asked Peter’s wife where he could find her mother and was shown to her room. All we know is that he touched her hand and she instantly got up, fully healed, and began to make dinner preparations. No preaching, no shouting, no long-winded prayers, no pleading – just a touch! That evening there was undoubtedly a lot of excitement around the table as they celebrated her healing and gave Jesus thanks! The very next thing in Matthew’s account was the arrival of many sick and demon-oppressed clamoring outside the door, all hoping for a touch, a word, from Jesus! News travels fast! (Matthew 8:14-17). Scripture only records Jesus doing the ministry.
Soon, however, the disciples’ comfy back-row seats were abandoned as they were called to the front of the line. John Wimber, the founder of our Vineyard Movement, modeled Jesus in those heady early days of the movement, during a series of on-the-road ministry times. He always traveled with a team just like the disciples. Often, before an evening session started, John would look around at the team, point to someone and say, ‘You’re leading tonight.’ He would then go take a seat, leaving the often flabbergasted ‘leader’ to figure out his next step.
There’s an urgency in the air when we talk about the Kingdom and its mission. Ill-prepared disciples are thrust out into the harvest and required to learn ‘on the job.’ Reluctant disciples are lovingly prodded into activity and are, I believe, freshly empowered in the going, in the doing. And who knows, the next miracle experienced may just be for someone we know and love. PD
