29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
Mark quickly shifts the scene and we now see Jesus leaving the synagogue Sabbath service with four of His boys in tow. Our Lord had just taught and healed with great power and authority and now He was welcoming the warmth of Peter’s hospitality. Arriving on the premises of Simon Peter’s home they discover Pete’s mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. Enter the gracious Healer who now demonstrates His concern and care covers not only spiritual healing but physical healing as well. Jesus indeed has authority over sickness – the deaf hear - the blind see - the lame leap – certainly our Lord “hailed” from heaven with healing in His hands. His authority and power rightly extends to every realm of life. Isaiah prophesizes regarding the future Suffering Servant’s job description:
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)
Wherever Christ goes, so also goes good and He leaves behind Him a delightfully fragrant aroma as well. To be sure, all of His ways are loving and kind and all of His paths are peace.
30 A heart at peace gives life to the body. Prov 14:30 (NIV)
“No one has ever lost out by excessive devotion to Christ.” H. A. Ironside
Made aware of the sickness under Peter’s roof, Jesus goes to her, touches her and heals her. His loving touch always heals. She was not only healed but strengthened to serve as well. The Lord never leaves us here powerless and therefore we are not to be “do-less”. Jesus now becomes her first consideration. I wonder, is Jesus our first consideration as well? When we love Him we manifest this by loving and serving others. Service will always be the overflow that pours forth from a life that is filled with love and devotion for the Master. His cure equips us for action. Service is to be a natural part of the believer’s life – we serve Him out of the motivation of absolute love not from the Law. Forced labor fails. Christian service is a love gift from a nature that has heard the call and felt the touch of God.
“Religion is, ‘I obey, therefore I’m accepted’. The Gospel is, ‘I’m accepted through what Jesus Christ has done for me, therefore I obey’. Religion gives you control, that’s why its so popular...If I am saved by what I can do, then there’s a limit to what God can ask of me. I still have some control. But if I am saved by sheer grace, then there’s nothing He cannot ask of me”. Tim Keller
Peter adds that our gifts are given to give – we are to distribute God’s “wealth” of our gifts according to His will and direction with an unselfish love and concern for others – just as Jesus did:
10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Paul echoes the same sentiment to us in Romans setting forth for us a perfect profile of the believer who walks by faith – seeking to help Christians to live like Christians. This passage is so eminently practical it is a wonderful one to hide in our hearts:
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:3-21 (NIV)
“My chains fell off, my heart was free. I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.” Charles Wesley