Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon's house. But Simon's wife's mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. 39 So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them. (Luke 4:38-39)
Peter’s mother-in-law was seriously ill. Dr. Luke describes in his gospel that she was afflicted with a high fever. She was lying in bed at Peter’s house and everyone was concerned. But when Jesus came into the house they told Him about her. Jesus healed her and she stood up and started serving the Lord and His disciples. I wonder what she did in serving these thirteen men. I can only use my imagination that perhaps she went into the kitchen and started cooking. What a nice day it turned out to be.
You and I have been touched by Jesus, too! And what we’ve been healed from is a lot worse than a fever. Because of what Jesus did on the cross we have been healed of our incurable sinful condition:
(Jer 17:9 NASB) "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
(Isa 53:5) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
You and I have been saved to serve. Like Peter’s mother-in-law we can rise up and show our thankfulness to the Lord for our salvation by serving Him. We might not be able to cook the Lord a meal but there are many ways we will be led by the Spirit to serve our Savior. Peter’s mother-in-law did what was natural to her. She used what means she had and showed her love for Jesus through that. We, too, can begin with what we have to serve the Lord. That will be good enough for Him. Then the Lord will show us more areas of service as we are faithful in the little things (Luke 16:10).
If you’re wondering what your life is all about then keep this in mind . . . that you were saved to serve!
Louie