a disordered spirit = a disordered body
In the time of Jesus diseases are caused not by viruses, not by infections and bacteria and not by plagues, but it is caused by the weakening of the human spirit and this weakened spirit becomes susceptible to the possession of the evil one whose actions in our bodies produces the symptoms of various diseases and in the case of Simon’s mother it caused a very high fever. This is the reason why Jesus rebuked the spirit and with the spirit gone and with equilibrium of the body established once again, the fever subsided.
In our time the explanation above may no longer be that complicated. A fever is a fever and you don’t need a miracle nowadays to cure a high fever. All it takes are a couple of paracetamol tablets and a dose of antibiotics.
But despite the medical breakthrough the message of the gospel remains equally significant in our time. Jesus is telling us that there are many pains in our lives that are caused by a spiritual disorder. When the spirit is disordered the body is affected. A seething hatred held on for years can be a cause of great stress that produces physical symptoms. A deep seated insecurity with oneself can develop addictions which in turn produces various ailments in the body. A disordered spirit has consequences in the health of our bodies. I am not saying that all physical ailments have for their cause a disordered spirit. There are ailments that come from our genetic make-up or from foreign bodies that enter our system. But there ailments too that come from a disordered spirit. Sin in all its forms affects the body. It is important that equilibrium be restored. It is important to recognize that we still need Jesus not just for our spirit, not just for heaven, but even for our physical well-being here on earth.
In our time the explanation above may no longer be that complicated. A fever is a fever and you don’t need a miracle nowadays to cure a high fever. All it takes are a couple of paracetamol tablets and a dose of antibiotics.
But despite the medical breakthrough the message of the gospel remains equally significant in our time. Jesus is telling us that there are many pains in our lives that are caused by a spiritual disorder. When the spirit is disordered the body is affected. A seething hatred held on for years can be a cause of great stress that produces physical symptoms. A deep seated insecurity with oneself can develop addictions which in turn produces various ailments in the body. A disordered spirit has consequences in the health of our bodies. I am not saying that all physical ailments have for their cause a disordered spirit. There are ailments that come from our genetic make-up or from foreign bodies that enter our system. But there ailments too that come from a disordered spirit. Sin in all its forms affects the body. It is important that equilibrium be restored. It is important to recognize that we still need Jesus not just for our spirit, not just for heaven, but even for our physical well-being here on earth.
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