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Humble Hero
the right words. The Savior invites those who will consent to enter
into covenant relation with the God of heaven, “Let him take hold of
My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make
peace with Me.”
Isaiah 27:5
. Angels of God will fight for them with
victorious power. “Can ... the captives of a tyrant be rescued? ... I
will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your
children.”
Isaiah 49:24, 25
, NRSV.
While the congregation in the synagogue were still spellbound,
Jesus left for Peter’s home for a little rest. But here also a shadow
had fallen. Peter’s mother-in-law lay sick, stricken with a “high
fever.” Jesus rebuked the disease, and the healed woman got up and
provided refreshments for the Master and His disciples.
[114]
News of Christ’s work spread rapidly throughout Capernaum.
For fear of the rabbis, the people dared not come for healing on the
Sabbath, but as soon as the sun had disappeared below the horizon,
the inhabitants of the city hurried toward the humble home that
sheltered Jesus. They brought the sick into the Savior’s presence.
Hour after hour they came and went, for no one could know
whether tomorrow would find the Healer still among them. Never
before had Capernaum witnessed a day like this. The air was filled
with the voice of triumph and shouts of deliverance. The Savior
rejoiced in His power to restore the suffering ones to health and
happiness.
It was far into the night when the crowds left and silence settled
down on Simon’s home. The long, exciting day was past, and Jesus
needed rest. But while the city was still wrapped in slumber, “a long
while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place;
and there He prayed.”
Jesus often sent His disciples to visit their homes and rest, but
He gently resisted their efforts to draw Him away from His labors.
All day He worked, and at evening or in the early morning He went
to the mountains to talk with His Father. Often He spent the entire
night in prayer and meditation, returning at daybreak to His work
among the people.
Early in the morning, Peter and his companions came to Jesus,
saying that already the people were looking for Him. The author-
ities at Jerusalem were trying to find a way to murder Him; even
His own townsfolk had attempted to take His life; but Capernaum