Jesus begins his work
(A story from the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 1, verses 29-39)
One day on the Sabbath, Jesus went to a synagogue in the village of Capernaum near the Sea of Galilee. While he was there, he taught people about the Kingdom of God and how it was coming near. He also helped a man who was scared and upset feel better.
When he was finished there, his disciples, Simon and Andrew, invited Jesus to have supper at their house and to stay overnight. Two other disciples, James and John, went too.
Simon's wife greeted them when they got to the house. She was upset. "Simon," she said to her husband, "thank goodness you are home! My mother is very sick. She has a high fever. I am so worried about her!"
Jesus went to the woman's bed. He looked at her. Then he touched her forehead and felt how hot it was. She was very sick. Jesus knew that with God's help, he could make her feel better.
So Jesus took her hands in his. Gently he pulled her up off her pillow. Then he reached behind her back and under her knees and slowly and carefully lifted her up. Standing in the middle of her room, holding her in his arms, he asked God to heal her.
The woman opened her eyes and began to perk up. She took a couple of deep breaths. And then she smiled at Jesus and patted him on his cheek.
"You must be hungry," she said to Jesus. "Let me down and I'll fix a meal for you and your friends."
And Jesus did let her go, and she did prepare a meal that everyone enjoyed together.
The family finished the meal as the sun was setting. Suddenly they heard a knock at the door. Simon went to answer it. His neighbor was standing there, hold his sick child. "I saw how the carpenter from Nazareth healed that man in the synagogue today. I'm wondering if he can help my son, too."
Simon's neighbor wasn't the only one who came to Jesus that evening, asking for healing. Before too long, it looked like the whole town was gathered at Simon and Andrew's home! With God's help, Jesus cured many who were sick or troubled.
The next morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went out to a deserted place to be alone and talk with God. Simon and his friends found him. They said, "Everyone is looking for you." He answered, "Let's move on to other towns. My message about the good news of God's kingdom must be heard beyond Capernaum."
So that day Jesus set out with Simon and Andrew and James and John. They went to towns all along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus told everyone who would listen about how God wants everyone to take care of each other and become a community of love. And as he moved from town to town, Jesus also healed many, many people.
Questions to think and pray about:
I wonder what you like best about this story.
I wonder if you have ever been sick with a high fever. How did you feel? What was it like to know you were getting better?
I wonder what comes to mind for you when you think about God's kingdom.
I wonder what you can do to help God's kingdom come near.