Now, when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them. (Matthew 8:14-15)
What would you have done? One moment, you’re drenching your bedclothes with feverish sweat, every muscle aching and every joint throbbing. There’s no medication, and you’re thinking you’ll never leave the bed alive. Then Jesus kneels beside you, takes your hand, and instantly, you feel the best you’ve felt in years! The pain and fever are gone! You’ve got more energy than you know what to do with!
Peter’s mother-in-law rose from her bed and started preparing a meal. Perhaps she washed their feet. Perhaps she mended some clothes for Jesus. She might have changed a couple of diapers for the little ones. Having been healed, she helped. Having been saved, she served.
That’s a microcosm of the Church, isn’t it? When Jesus touches us, we feel an energy within us that gives us vent in service to others. Yes, we go to church to worship Him who saved us, but we also go to encourage one another, to smile and chat and fellowship, to give and serve.
This snapshot inside Peter’s house in the Gospels is visual. We can imagine the scene. Now, let’s put ourselves in the picture. Let’s arise and serve.
In Christian Love,
Pastor John