Reflections
He “laid his hands on every one of them” and healed them from their illnesses. As Jesus had announced in the synagogue in Nazareth, the Reign of God is now actively entering the lives of people with Jesus bringing them healing and wholeness. Evil spirits shouted at Jesus “You are the Son of God” as an effort to control him. Whether these were actual cases of possession or were psychological or moral disorders which made people behave in abnormal and harmful ways is not clear. But clearly the presence of the Kingdom is being felt. Healing is taking place and those possessed by evil spirits are freed from their clutches. They experience the healing power of Jesus. At daybreak, he went off into a quiet place. The desert is the place where God is to be found and very likely, Jesus went there to be alone and pray. The people, who had seen what he did for them, wanted him to stay with them. But he could not and would not. “I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also; that is why I have been sent.” No place could have a monopoly on his healing presence. We need to follow him and keep close to him but we cannot cling to him in a way that prevents others from experiencing his healing touch.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2018