This is Personal

Scripture:

Mark 1:29   As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. ³⁰ Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. ³¹ He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

Observation:

So far Jesus has been engaged in the cosmic, big picture revelations of who he is and his ministry. Having just finished his teaching and healing in the synagogue, he went on to Peter’s home. While Peter’s mother-in-law was ill, Peter had probably not invited Jesus to come to have her healed. Instead, the entire group was probably tired from the day, and needed a place to rest.  It just happened, that when they arrived home, they learned that Peter’s mother-in-law was sick. 

Having a fever in the first century was serious business. The physician Luke, in his gospel, tells us that she had a “high” fever. They did not recognize that a fever was a symptom of an illness, but believed that the fever was an illness in and of itself. Wanting 

the readers to understand the significance of this healing, Mark lets us know that she immediately begins to serve the guests. Most of us know that recovery after having had a high fever takes a period of time. Usually there is weakness and exhaustion that requires rest, but this healing was entire and complete. Not only was her fever gone, the root of it had been healed, and she had a full recovery. 

This was a very private illustration of the cosmic power which would be unleashed in and through the ministry of Jesus 

Christ. If Peter’s desire had been to minister to Jesus’ needs through the hospitality of his own home, Jesus made this possible by healing the mother-in-law. This healing was deeply personal, touching the life of someone Peter loved, but at the same time, it brought wholeness to the home. It may have been that in doing this miracle, Jesus was showing Peter that he didn’t need to worry about his family and that salvation had reached his home. 

Application:

The gospel of Mark shows us the big picture of Jesus’ ministry but then, quite literally, brings it home. It’s easy to see and get caught up in the cosmic stories of Jesus’ life and ministry but sometimes we fail to see how Jesus loves and cares for us in a very personal way. 

Jesus, the Son of God, responds to the invitation to come to our home, because this is personal. Upon entering our personal space he recognizes the areas that need healing. I’m wondering whether Peter was oblivious to the fact that his mother-in-law was ill and invited guests home! Jesus, recognizing that things were not right in the house, went about making the place whole immediately. The same can be true for us. Jesus knows what it is that we need before we do. He reaches out to touch us at the point of our deepest need, bringing salvation and wholeness to our lives. 

The great love of the Father is revealed in the willingness of Jesus to come to our humble homes. We don’t have much to offer, but that will never be a deterrent to Jesus. In love he enters our personal space, takes inventory, and offers healing. The call to follow Jesus may entail sacrifice, but never without Jesus’ full knowledge of your personal need. He loves and cares.  

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for loving us enough to come to our home.  Amen.