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He is the Sun of Righteousness, March 13
Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing
in his wings.
Malachi 4:2
.
In the fisherman’s home at Capernaum the mother of Peter’s wife is lying sick
of “a great fever,” and “they tell him of her.” Jesus “touched her hand, and the fever
left her,” and she arose and ministered to the Saviour and His disciples (
Luke 4:38
;
Mark 1:30
;
Matthew 8:15
).
Rapidly the tidings spread. The miracle had been wrought upon the Sabbath,
and for fear of the rabbis the people dared not come for healing until the sun was
set. Then from the homes, the shops, the marketplaces, the inhabitants of the city
pressed toward the humble dwelling that sheltered Jesus. The sick were brought
upon litters, they came leaning upon staffs, or, supported by friends, they tottered
feebly into the Saviour’s presence....
Never before had Capernaum witnessed a day like this. The air was filled with
the voice of triumph and shouts of deliverance.
Not until the last sufferer had been relieved did Jesus cease His work. It was far
into the night when the multitude departed and silence settled down upon the home
of Simon. The long, exciting day was past, and Jesus sought rest. But while the city
was wrapped in slumber, the Saviour, “rising up a great while before day,” “went
out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” (
Mark 1:35
).
Early in the morning Peter and his companions came to Jesus, saying that
already the people of Capernaum were seeking Him. With surprise they heard
Christ’s words, “I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also; for therefore
am I sent” (
Luke 4:43
).
In the excitement which then pervaded Capernaum there was danger that the
object of His mission would be lost sight of. Jesus was not satisfied to attract
attention to Himself merely as a wonder-worker or as a healer of physical disease.
He was seeking to draw men to Him as their Saviour. While the people were eager
to believe that He had come as a king to establish an earthly reign, He desired to turn
their minds from the earthly to the spiritual. Mere worldly success would interfere
with His work....
No self-assertion mingled with His life.... None of the means that men employ
to win allegiance or command homage did Jesus use....
The Sun of Righteousness did not burst upon the world in splendor, to dazzle
the senses with His glory. It is written of Christ, “His going forth is prepared as
the morning” (
Hosea 6:3
). Quietly and gently the daylight breaks upon the earth,
dispelling the darkness and waking the world to life. So did the Sun of Righteousness
arise, “with healing in his wings” (
Malachi 4:2
) (
The Ministry of Healing, 29-32
).
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