²⁹ And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
³⁰ Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her.
³¹ And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.
³² That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons.
³³ And the whole city was gathered together about the door.
³⁴ And he healed 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.
³⁵ And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.
³⁶ And Simon and those who were with him pursued him,
³⁷ and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." ³⁸ And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out."
³⁹ And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

• (v.31) Jesus had just performed his first healing of a man possessed by a demon with a word (1:25). Here, he cures sickness by a touch: Jesus takes Peter's mother-in-law by the hand and lifts her up. People of Mediterranean culture are more willing to touch each other and tend to stand closer to each other during a conversation than those of different culture. But more importantly, Jesus' touch mediates his power. On another occasion, a woman was healed (5:30) when she touched his cloak.
• When Jesus cures sick persons, he restores them to their proper status, role and place in the community. The fact that Peter's mother-in-law immediately began to serve indicates the completeness of her cure. She can resume her role and normal function in the home. It may also suggest that all those saved by Jesus are called to serve. Jesus helps us that we may help others.
• (v.33) It is sunset, the Sabbath has passed. Free to move about, people come to Jesus for his "fame has spread" (1:28). That the whole city of Capernaum was gathered also shows how serious and widespread is their need for healing.
• (v.36) The disciples have "pursued" him because they felt that he was missing a great opportunity to become more popular. They don't understand where Jesus' way leads and, therefore, look like representatives of the curious crowd who are searching for him only because of his miraculous power.
• (vv.21-38) Today's narrative gives account of a typical day in the life of Jesus, as he starts his mission:
  - Preaching the Good News
  - Healing
  - Teaching his disciples
  - Praying

Jesus has the power of God to heal, and He comes to heal us.

1. Do I have a sickness, a weakness, of a sin? Do I need healing?
2. How much do I desire for healing? To what extent am I willing to sacrifice, to change, so that Jesus can heal me?
3. How can I help Jesus heal others around me?

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A synthesis by the Vietnamese Christian Life (Dong Hanh) Community