Today’s WORD (Text) Mark 1:29-34
29/ As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30/ Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31/ He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32/ That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33/ And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34/ And he cured many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Today’s Witness
Not long after summoning a cadre of eager disciples to follow him, Jesus made a house call to Simon’s home, where he was asked to pray for Simon’s mother-in-law. This appeared to be a very public event where family and friends gathered to see whether Jesus could do anything for the woman. We should assume that everything the people could do, from administering homemade remedies to prayer, and all else, had been done already. Jesus was invited to come and pray because a miracle was needed. Jesus did not disappoint their hopes. He healed the woman. That act of deliverance in her body prompted the onlookers to go out and gather all the sick people they could find and bring them to Jesus. He cured many that night who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons.
In this pandemic time that we are living through, we have witnessed the overcrowding of hospitals, long lines of people, waiting for Covid tests, waiting for food and other assistance, and now waiting for vaccines. Thankfully, many Christians and local churches have been at the center of response efforts, mobilizing passionaries, distributing food, using their facilities and parking lots for testing and for administering vaccines. While we have not seen a dramatic appearance on the part of Jesus of Nazareth personally raising a sick patient from her bed, God has been very present in our communities, incarnate in the person of first responders, nurses, doctors, volunteers, chaplains, faith-filled family members, church members and many others. Many have died. Many more affected have experienced healing and are recovering. Miracles have happened. Let us keep trusting in the Lord. Be not weary in doing well. Let us continue praying fervently and with faith that the God who makes house calls with visit the sick and lift them up. God is still working.
Today’s Invitation
In what ways have you witnessed God’s loving intervention in the lives of suffering people in the past year?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, we call upon you during this season of immense sickness and suffering across our nation and around the world. We believe in you as our Creator and Lord and affirm by faith that you have the power to heal sickness. We intercede today on behalf of all those who are sick, in particular those suffering Covid-19 which has devastated so many. We mourn the loss of all those who did not survive. We praise you for all those who have recovered, and those who are battling sickness even now. We pray with faith in Jesus’ Name that you will have mercy on all those needing healing. We pray not only for Covid patients, but for all persons who are sick, and waiting on a visit from Jesus. Have mercy. Bring healing. Raise up your little ones from sickness, in your Name we pray. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Breno Assis on Unsplash
Today’s WORD (Text) Mark 1:29-34
29/ As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30/ Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31/ He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32/ That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33/ And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34/ And he cured many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Today’s Witness
Not long after summoning a cadre of eager disciples to follow him, Jesus made a house call to Simon’s home, where he was asked to pray for Simon’s mother-in-law. This appeared to be a very public event where family and friends gathered to see whether Jesus could do anything for the woman. We should assume that everything the people could do, from administering homemade remedies to prayer, and all else, had been done already. Jesus was invited to come and pray because a miracle was needed. Jesus did not disappoint their hopes. He healed the woman. That act of deliverance in her body prompted the onlookers to go out and gather all the sick people they could find and bring them to Jesus. He cured many that night who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons.
In this pandemic time that we are living through, we have witnessed the overcrowding of hospitals, long lines of people, waiting for Covid tests, waiting for food and other assistance, and now waiting for vaccines. Thankfully, many Christians and local churches have been at the center of response efforts, mobilizing passionaries, distributing food, using their facilities and parking lots for testing and for administering vaccines. While we have not seen a dramatic appearance on the part of Jesus of Nazareth personally raising a sick patient from her bed, God has been very present in our communities, incarnate in the person of first responders, nurses, doctors, volunteers, chaplains, faith-filled family members, church members and many others. Many have died. Many more affected have experienced healing and are recovering. Miracles have happened. Let us keep trusting in the Lord. Be not weary in doing well. Let us continue praying fervently and with faith that the God who makes house calls with visit the sick and lift them up. God is still working.
Today’s Invitation
In what ways have you witnessed God’s loving intervention in the lives of suffering people in the past year?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, we call upon you during this season of immense sickness and suffering across our nation and around the world. We believe in you as our Creator and Lord and affirm by faith that you have the power to heal sickness. We intercede today on behalf of all those who are sick, in particular those suffering Covid-19 which has devastated so many. We mourn the loss of all those who did not survive. We praise you for all those who have recovered, and those who are battling sickness even now. We pray with faith in Jesus’ Name that you will have mercy on all those needing healing. We pray not only for Covid patients, but for all persons who are sick, and waiting on a visit from Jesus. Have mercy. Bring healing. Raise up your little ones from sickness, in your Name we pray. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Breno Assis on Unsplash