After casting out a demon of the possessed man in the synagogue at Capernaum, Jesus went directly to home of Simon Peter and his brother Andrew.
Peter and Andrew not only brought their friends James and John home with them from the service, but they also brought the Lord home. That is a good example for us to follow: don’t leave Jesus at the church – take Him home with you and let Him share your blessings and your burdens. What a privilege it was for Peter and His family to have the very Son of God as guest in their humble home.
“And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.” (Mark 1:29-31)
This event paints a ‘picture’ of what happens when Jesus stays at your home.
Luke (the doctor) wrote in his Gospel that Peter’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever (Luke 4:38). He used a technical term (the Greek is megalo) for a violent fever. We do not know the cause of this fever but the fact that it was high and she was too sick to get up suggests an extremely serious and perhaps life threatening illness.
This event paints a ‘picture’ of what happens when Jesus stays at your home.
Compassionate Care
We see compassion on the part of Jesus’ disciples in immediately telling Him of the need. This tells us something about the disciples – they had begun to take all their troubles to Him. Great things tend to happen when God’s people intercede for one another. A Christian ought to pray first, in time of trouble.
We also see compassion on the part of Jesus to immediately respond. It tells us something about Jesus. He did not require an audience in order to exert His power. He was never too tired to help. The need of others took precedence over His own desire for rest.
Healing Power
Luke says in the parallel account that he stood over her and rebuked the fever (Luke 4:39). Matthew (8:15) says He touched her. Here in Mark we read that He took her by the hand. The result was that she was immediately healed.
God blesses people in various ways: sometimes “immediately” and at other times “progressively”. Which ever way He chooses to bless us is worthy of our praise.
True Gratitude
There is actually a double miracle here. Jesus not only healed her of her physical illness but gave her the power to get up and immediately work.
Peter’s mother-in-law was healed to serve. This tells us something about Peter’s wife’s mother. Her response to Jesus’ touch was to wait on Jesus and His disciples – immediately. She used her recovered health for renewed service.
This response is a beautiful example to follow. We best express our thankfulness to God for His many blessings by serving Him. Has God ever helped you through a dangerous or difficult situation? If so, you should ask yourself, How can I express my gratitude to Him?
For the Christian, we often do not serve God for what we will get. We serve God for what He has already done. The foundation of our labor of love for Jesus is gratitude.
What one miracle would you like to see Jesus do in your home?