“Now as soon as they left the synagogue, they entered Simon and Andrew’s house, with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law was lying down, sick with a fever, so they spoke to Jesus at once about her. He came and raised her up by gently taking her hand. Then the fever left her and she began to serve them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered by the door. So he healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.” —Mark 1:29–34
Jesus’ had just taught and healed with great power and authority. Now He was looking forward to the warmth of Peter’s hospitality. However, upon arriving on the premises of Peter’s home, He and His disciples discover that Peter’s mother-in-law is sick in bed with a fever. Enter the gracious Healer who demonstrates that His concern and care cover not only spiritual healing (as had been seen earlier when He was at the synagogue), but physical healing as well. Jesus’ authority and power extends to every realm of life.
Made aware of the sickness under Peter’s roof, Jesus goes to her, touches her, and heals her. She was not only healed, but strengthened to serve as well! What a lesson for us: Service will always overflow out of a life that is touched by the Master. His cure equips us for action.
Later in his life, Peter wrote that our gifts have been given to us in order that we in turn may give.
“Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.” —1 Peter 4:10
The end of sunset on this particular Sabbath finds a deluge of the hurting seeking a healing touch from the Master. Not inclined to break the Law, the people of Capernaum waited to bring their sick until after the sun set—Sabbath occurring from sunset to sunset. Rabbinic regulations prohibited bearing burdens on the Sabbath—no matter if it meant helping someone in dire need. The town had gathered at Peter’s doorstep, bringing with them the hurting, and the weak, and the failing.
Are we not all in that predicament—hurting, or weak, or failing? Do we not all need a healing touch from the Master’s hand? God’s healing covers all of our spiritual, emotional and physical needs!
Isaiah’s words come to mind:
“But he lifted up our illnesses, he carried our pain; even though we thought he was being punished, attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done.” —Isaiah 53:4
Become More
While Jesus healed many physical ailments during His earthly ministry, His greater work on the cross healed the sickness of the soul. He took away all of our sins–carrying them as our great Burden Bearer. He bore the just judgment for our sins on the cross, leaving His peace and joy for us in the wake of His intense suffering.
“And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions. He has destroyed what was against us, a certificate of indebtedness expressed in decrees opposed to us. He has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. Disarming the rulers and authorities, he has made a public disgrace of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” —Colossians 2:13–15
“Peace is not found when you get into perfect circumstances. Peace is found because Jesus Christ, the Price of Peace, has gotten into you. Joy is the perfect partner to peace and is found in the same way as peace. Joy is never found in what you have or what you do, but in who you have living in you.” —Roy Lessin
Further Reflections
“Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it gives inexpressible peace and comfort, and the sense that ‘underneath are the everlasting arms’, full of support, provision, comfort, and strength … His tenderness is inexpressibly sweet.” —Oswald Chambers
“My chains fell off, my heart was free. I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.” —Charles Wesley, “And Can It Be?”