On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.
Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them,
“Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.
Jesus was completely focussed on his purpose - to establish himself as the Messaih and communicate a new way to live a life in accordance with God’s will. Christ was constantly healing people and driving out demons possibly to establish his claim as the messiah. He was a Messiah who was re-defining what power means and looks like. It was embedded in loving and serving others. It rejected violence and emphasised transformation from within. Jesus constantly demonstrated hospitality and charity. He placed the needs of others above his own needs constantly. It is a great example for anyone wanting to follow Christ. We may not have the power to heal or cast out demons (literally), but we can make the decision to serve and to commit to the pursuit of virtues such as charity.
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