Peter, the First Pope, Married? Matthew 8:14-17

Jesus Heals Many

One of the primary ways Jesus showed God's kingdom at hand was healing people physically and spiritually.  In God's kingdom there is no sickness and Satan is defeated once and for all. 

14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 

This verse confirms that Peter was married.  Since Peter was the head of the church and was considered the first pope, one could conclude the first pope was married.

Though Peter's mother in law may not have been in a conditon as serious as the leper, Jesus became immediately aware of her need.  

15 He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. 

This healing story emphasizes Jesus' gentle touch.  Jesus said the word, and the leper was healed.  Today Jesus just touches the woman's hand, and her fever is gone.  Peter's mother in law responds to Jesus' healing by serving him.  

What a great response to Jesus' love. Jesus said to his disciples, "The greatest among you is the one who serves."  

16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 

Next up were the "spiritually" sick, or what the bible calls "demon possessed".  There is a difference between being afflicted by a demon and being possessed by one.  There was a lot of sorcery, magic and idolatry being practice in Jesus' day, and likely these men had given themselves over to the power of evil one.  It doesn't appear someone can be demon possessed unless they deliberate invitely him or partake of evil practices . We know when Judas betrayed Jesus, he was possessed by a demon. 

"We are not told exactly how one opens himself up for possession. If Judas’ case is representative, he opened his heart to evil—in his case by his greed (John 12:6). So it may be possible that if one allows his heart to be ruled by some habitual sin, it becomes an invitation for a demon to enter. From missionaries’ experiences, demon possession also seems to be related to the worship of heathen idols and the possession of occult materials. Scripture repeatedly relates idol worship to the actual worship of demons (Leviticus 17:7; Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 106:37; 1 Corinthians 10:20), so it should not be surprising that involvement with idolatry could lead to demon possession." (Got Questions.org)

17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”

Verse 17 is a quote from Isaiah 53, which has many messianic references.  Though Jesus is healing these people in the present, the ultimate healing Jesus will provide will be on the cross.  All healing in the temporal world is finite, but the healing brought forth by Jesus' death on the cross is infinite.  The ultimate disease that causes death is sin, which Jesus bore on the cross so that we might be spiritually healed.  

Do you believe Jesus still heals today?  Why or why not?  When you pray for someone's physical healing do you expect that Jesus will heal them?  Have you ever seen anyone who was demon possessed?  How do we open ourselves up to the influence of the devil today? 

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