Wednesday 1 July

Genesis 21:5, 8-20, Psalm 34, Matthew 8:28-34

The healing power of love

Ill health was not understood in Jesus’ time. It was the common belief that all misfortune was the result of sin, and people with mental or physical illness were judged accordingly. We can assume that the two people living in empty tombs, had known persecution that had added to their mental condition. They were afraid of others: others were afraid of them. But Jesus did not judge, and he acted out of love not fear. It is interesting that local people were more concerned with the loss of animals than the return to health of two of their kind.