At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.

--Parallel verses:
‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭34‬ ‭NIV‬‬
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

Over the past 10 years or so I have worked in the prayer ministry at church. In this ministry I pray over the service, the Sunday school classes, write down encouraging scriptures, and I pray with people after service who would like prayer for challenges in life. I do this for one service and help a little in the second one. I find when I get home, I am typically exhausted. It is surprising, because I did not exert much physical energy; but the mental, emotional, and relational work done in that time wears me out. I can only imagine the exhausting nature of the work one who heals others or preaches all day and then into the night!
Jesus was doing this type of work here. He left himself fully spent in serving others and healing them, I have no doubt. He was ready with his “game face” on.

As I read this passage, a few things stand out to me: 1) Jesus cared very much for the people of his day. He healed them because it was God’s will that he do so. And it was a part of the work God had laid out before him. And this work was not burdensome to him, because he loved the people and cared about their hurts, scars, and challenges in life. 2) Jesus worked hard in the ministry. He was working at sunset. This was likely after the normal working hours of the day. And he healed many from sunset into the night. He worked under God’s power and strength. 3) He showed up in power and did battle with the evil spirits. He was not afraid for his life or his reputation or his position. He simply was courageous and bold and called them out.

Lord, help me to model my ministry after Jesus. To care about people like you do and work hard to help them. To lift their burdens. To love on them. May I have supreme confidence that you are with me, as I eat the food of your work, and may I do battle in your power and strength with the forces of evil.