By Matthew 8:14–17 (NKJV) Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them. When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”
I have read through this text the last couple of mornings and not known quite what to say about it. These two accounts of Jesus surely show him as a Savior who is a compassionate healer. He appears to be motivated by a love for the people, and at first glance this seems supreme. Yet, it is the single word “that” which tells of a motive higher.
Matthew tells us Jesus healed Peter’s mother in-law, many people who were demon-possessed, and all those around him who were sick. Then Matthew quotes Isaiah 53 to inform us of the motive behind this healing ministry. Jesus healed and cast out demons “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:”. Jesus healed and cast out demons for an even higher motive than love for man; love for God. Jesus performed these miracles so that he could fulfill the Scriptures! He desired, with a perfect kind of craving, to please his Father in heaven by obeying and fulfilling the Word. Oh how we can learn from our Savior! Oh that we would be driven by this same motive!
Leading Family Devotions 