When Jesus came into Peter's home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him. When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: " he himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases ." [Matthew 8:14-17 NASB]First, it is established that Peter was married. This flies in the face of the tradition of priests not being allowed to marry, give that the "first pope" was married. Nor did he abandon his family. He cared enough to invite Jesus into his home where Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law. We also know Peter's wife traveled with him. "Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?" [1 Corinthians 9:5 NASB] (Cephas being another name for Peter).
When Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law, she got up and served Him. I had a Bible professor in college say that Jesus was hungry and healed her so that she could fix his dinner. To this day, I don't know if he was joking or serious, but I'm pretty sure Jesus' motives were less selfish. The fact that he got a dinner out of it was a bonus.
Seriously though, her response was appropriate. Luke's account says that she had a "high fever" or in the Greek, a mega-fever. This indicates that what she had wasn't a simple cold or flu, but a more serious infection. When Jesus healed her, the kingdom of God came to her. Our response to the kingdom of God should be the same - a willingness to serve Jesus. In her case, it was immediate and very practical. He was hungry, she was well enough to cook, so she prepared a meal.
Notice that she didn't wait for a grand calling. She didn't say, "I don't know His plan for me. So I will wait and see. If I am called to be a cook, then I will prepare meals." I know that sounds silly, but how many of us fail to do any work for the kingdom of God because we are waiting to be sure of our calling?
Peter's mother-in-law did what was at hand, according to her abilities. God may have a particular calling for you, but He may make you wait for a season to fulfill it. In the meantime, look around and see what is at hand that you can do. What if you are called to preach, but there are no preaching opportunities open to you? Does the church need ushers? Maybe you can help trim the landscaping. If you're good with a saw and a hammer, you might help to remodel. These things may have nothing to do with your calling, but remember Jesus' words, "His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’" [Matthew 25:21 NASB] If you prove faithful in the small things, God will reward you with greater things.
Later, crowds came to the house, and Jesus healed them and cast out demons. Jesus transitioned from ministering to one person to ministering to a crowd. But nobody got lost in the crowd or overlooked. Jesus healed "all who were ill".
Never think that God has overlooked you. You may have to wait for season. You may not understand Him or what He is doing. But Jesus is with you always, and He love you as an individual.
No comments:
Post a Comment