The Great Physician and A Sick Mother In Law

Daily Reading and Devotional from the Gospels

Mark 1:29–34

29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. 32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. 33 And all the city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

Simon Peter and his brother invited Jesus over for lunch after the worship service. That was smart wasn’t it? Why settle for just Jesus in the services when he is willing to come home with you? I wonder how different our lives would be if we ever understood that we can include our Lord in more than just a weekly gathering? How would it change our homes, our marriages, our families, our jobs if we invited Jesus to come along? When they arrive at the home, we discover that Simon Peter’s mother in law was sick with a high fever. Jesus reached out and pulled her up. In Luke we learn that Jesus rebuked the fever. When you put the two accounts together we understand that he must have done both. Instantly she is healed. Her fever is gone and her health is restored. The amazing thing to me is that she has no recovery time at all, immediately she is healed and immediately she goes to work serving the others the afternoon meal. Not only does this show the completeness of the healing but the purpose of ours. You see this wonderful mother-in-law (words that don’t often get put together) shows us the reason for Jesus’ work on us, he saves us not to sit but to serve. How often have you seen a person profess a life changing encounter with Jesus and then simply take their place on a pew? Believer, you are not saved to sit. You are saved to serve!