Luke 4:38-44
Luke 4:38-44
Jesus’ Heart Towards his Friends (38-39)
Simon is the apostle Peter (Jesus hadn’t changed his name yet). Simon is obviously a follower of Jesus. One of his close friends. So why is Jesus’ healing of his mother-in-law included in Luke 4? I think it teaches us that Jesus did not overlook the needs of those closest to him. His healing, provision, and heart were not reserved just for the crowds or the lost - it was available to his followers; his friends.
Sometimes we think that God is too busy changing the lives of those who desperately need it to truly care about us. That’s simply not true. Simon appealed to Jesus. He asked…and the Lord answered. Jesus isn’t burdened by you coming to him. His heart is full of love towards his friends. “…And whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” John 6:37
Jesus’ Heart Towards the Sick/Lost (40-41)
In these two verses, Jesus spends the entire night healing people who were sick. From sunset to sunrise… He wasn’t repulsed by the sick, but welcomed them and healed them. His heart moved towards them in compassion and love. If this is God’s heart towards the sick and the lost, then shouldn’t it be our hearts as well? I know we can’t heal them of their physical diseases, but we can love them and care for them. We can point them to the Great Physician who can heal and save. After all, we were no better when Christ saved us!
I know it’s easy for me to point to Jesus in this passage and say, “do that” but it is a whole other thing to put this into practice. We aren’t called to be perfect, but we are called to be imitators.
Jesus’ Heart for the Mission
In the final three verses, Jesus is trying to get away to rest. He just spent all night healing people, but the people wanted to keep him there. I mean, he was doing a good thing, right? He was healing people and casting out demons, why would he protest staying? Because Jesus’ heart was dedicated to following the will and mission of his Father. Just like I wrote, Jesus had a heart for the sick, but Jesus’ greater desire was to see them healed of their sin. Jesus loved us in our sin and brokenness, yes, but he loved us enough to remove our sin and brokenness by giving his life.
In other words, Jesus’ heart for the mission is the proof of his heart towards his friends and the sick. So if you’re doubting that God cares about you or your problems, then recall the price that he paid to save you! He will never cast you out because he gave his life to bring you in.
Family Discussion
By: Joe Weaver
Jesus’ Heart Towards his Friends (38-39)
Simon is the apostle Peter (Jesus hadn’t changed his name yet). Simon is obviously a follower of Jesus. One of his close friends. So why is Jesus’ healing of his mother-in-law included in Luke 4? I think it teaches us that Jesus did not overlook the needs of those closest to him. His healing, provision, and heart were not reserved just for the crowds or the lost - it was available to his followers; his friends.
Sometimes we think that God is too busy changing the lives of those who desperately need it to truly care about us. That’s simply not true. Simon appealed to Jesus. He asked…and the Lord answered. Jesus isn’t burdened by you coming to him. His heart is full of love towards his friends. “…And whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” John 6:37
Jesus’ Heart Towards the Sick/Lost (40-41)
In these two verses, Jesus spends the entire night healing people who were sick. From sunset to sunrise… He wasn’t repulsed by the sick, but welcomed them and healed them. His heart moved towards them in compassion and love. If this is God’s heart towards the sick and the lost, then shouldn’t it be our hearts as well? I know we can’t heal them of their physical diseases, but we can love them and care for them. We can point them to the Great Physician who can heal and save. After all, we were no better when Christ saved us!
I know it’s easy for me to point to Jesus in this passage and say, “do that” but it is a whole other thing to put this into practice. We aren’t called to be perfect, but we are called to be imitators.
Jesus’ Heart for the Mission
In the final three verses, Jesus is trying to get away to rest. He just spent all night healing people, but the people wanted to keep him there. I mean, he was doing a good thing, right? He was healing people and casting out demons, why would he protest staying? Because Jesus’ heart was dedicated to following the will and mission of his Father. Just like I wrote, Jesus had a heart for the sick, but Jesus’ greater desire was to see them healed of their sin. Jesus loved us in our sin and brokenness, yes, but he loved us enough to remove our sin and brokenness by giving his life.
In other words, Jesus’ heart for the mission is the proof of his heart towards his friends and the sick. So if you’re doubting that God cares about you or your problems, then recall the price that he paid to save you! He will never cast you out because he gave his life to bring you in.
Family Discussion
- If you could ask Jesus to fix one thing in your life, what would it be?
- What does Ephesians 2:1-10 say about us before Christ saved us?
- If Jesus gave his life to redeem us - what should we give in response? (Rom 12:1)
By: Joe Weaver
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