Wait Until the Sun Sets

That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, "He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases." Matthew 8:16-17 

After sunset...the day is over. 
A new day starts.
Let's bring our requests to Jesus.

That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. The whole town gathered at the door to watch. So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak. Mark 1:32-34

 

As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed everyone. Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at his command, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak. Luke 4:40-41

 

Meditate. Consider Jesus’ power and healing touch.

 

Three of the four gospels record for us these examples of the healing that took place on that Sabbath day after Jesus had healed Peter’s mother-in-law. Yes. That happened on the Sabbath day. Jesus had been teaching at the Capernaum synagogue, and He amazed the people when He healed a man possessed by an evil spirit. Then Jesus went to Peter’s home, where He was asked to heal Peter’s mother-in-law, who had a high fever. He rebuked the fever, and it left. It had been a busy day—and it was a Sabbath day that should be considered a day of rest. No rest for Jesus!

Now the sun had gone down, the Sabbath was over. I wondered why the people waited until the sun set before they brought their sick and possessed loved ones to Jesus to be healed. Of course, they waited until the Sabbath was over. No work on the Sabbath—that was their tradition. They were following God’s command as He had given to Moses.

You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. Exodus 20:9-11

I think that waiting until the Sabbath was over shows respect for Rabbi Jesus. Wait until the Sabbath is over—the new day starts at sunset. The whole town of Capernaum came to Peter’s house—to his door—to request that Jesus heal their family and friends of various diseases. Jesus cast out many demons with just a word, but He didn’t let them speak since they were declaring just who He was—The Son of God. The demons recognized who He was, but did the people? They brought their sick to Him, knowing that He could heal them, but did they realize that He was the Messiah? Do you see Jesus as your Messiah, as your Savior? Do you bring your requests to Him for healing? Do you do that only on the Sabbath—on Sunday? Do you wait to pray until a new day has begun—or do you seek the Lord throughout the day?

            What do we learn about Jesus from this scripture passage? Jesus was compassionate. He healed the sick and demon-possessed. He must have been tired after a long Sabbath day—teaching and healing, but He still took time to listen to the requests and to heal the sick and demon-possessed. Once again, we see His power over evil spirits. They knew who He was—but He got rid of them—rebuked them. He would have…and did heal on the Sabbath, but the people waited to come to Him until after dark. They came when the new day started.

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, we come to You now—not waiting for a special time to pray. We will never stop praying, just as You taught Paul when he wrote to the church at Thessalonica, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19. Thank You for teaching us about Yourself, Your power, Your love and compassion, and for being faithfully obedient to our Heavenly Father.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ After this, I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting, "Praise the LORD! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God." Revelation 19:1

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

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