Mark – God is on our side!
When we are too sick to go about our regular routine of life, we are saddened and depressed by what we are missing. Those emotional feelings just make us more ill if we let it. The normal we took for granted is now what we long to return to so that we can go about life the way we know and is comfortable. Simon (Peter) has a mother in law who prepares meals for the family and for guests. That is her normal. But she cannot do what she does best because she has a fever that has sent her to bed. She is miserable and very sick. It must have made her feel worse to know the Master Teacher was in town and would be coming to Peter’s home but she was not feeling well enough to prepare for this special guest in their home along with the other family members.
How would you feel?
Mark 1, NLT
Jesus Heals Many People
29 After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. 31 So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.32 That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33 The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34 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.
GOING DEEPER…
The honored guest becomes the servant…to all who need the touch of the Savior!
Two miracles of healing are described in this section, both of which reveal the compassion of the Savior for those in need. In fact, so great was His love for the needy that the Savior ministered to great crowds of people after the Sabbath had ended, when it was lawful for them to come for help. It would appear that God’s Servant was at the beck and call of all kinds of people, including demoniacs and lepers, and He lovingly ministered to them all.
Jesus and the four disciples left the synagogue and went to Peter and Andrew’s house for their Sabbath meal. Perhaps Peter was a bit apologetic because his wife had to care for her sick mother and was unable to entertain them in the usual manner. We do not know about the other disciples, but we do know that Peter was a married man (Mark 1:30).
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. Before long, the Guest became the Host, just as one day the Passenger in Peter’s boat would become the Captain (Luke 5:1–11). By faith, the men told Jesus about the sick woman, no doubt expecting Him to heal her. That is exactly what He did! The fever left her immediately, and she was able to go to the kitchen and serve the Sabbath meal. If you have ever had a bad fever, then you know how painful and uncomfortable it is. You also know that after the fever leaves you, it takes time for you to regain your strength. But not so in this case! She was able to serve the Lord immediately.
And isn’t service to our Lord one of the best ways to thank Him for all He has done for us?
What was the result of this miracle of instant healing?
When the Sabbath ended at sundown, the whole city showed up at Peter’s door! They brought their sick and afflicted, and the Lord (who was no doubt weary) healed them all. The Greek verb indicates that they “kept on bringing” people to Him, so that He must have gone to sleep at a very late hour.
Note in Mark 1:32 the clear distinction made between the diseased and the demonized. While Satan can cause physical affliction, not all sickness is caused by demonic power.
Word spreads quickly about His Touch. But do all come in faith in our Lord? But do they come only for what they can get from Him?
Where is our heart when we come to Jesus? Do we ask for what He wants for our lives or only for what He can give us? Dear Heavenly Father, Lord and Savior,
Thank you for all you have done in our lives, for all you are doing currently and for what you will do to make us all you intended for us to be. We know we will always be a work in progress until we see you face to face in all your glory someday. So continue your work, for we want what You want. Your best far exceeds what we think we need as we serve. We love you, Lord, with all that is in us. We love each other, our family, friends and all others you put in our lives to help us grow in your love.
Thank you for Your Touch in our lives. You have healed brokenness, physical and emotional illness, and feeling of insignificance. You restored our hope, faith and trust because of your love. Your Holy Spirit’s Presence and residence in us keeps us focused on You and Your best. Thank you!
In Jesus Name, Amen
