Mothers of the BibleНамуна

Simon Peter’s Mother-in-Law: Jesus Heals

Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. —Mark 1:30–31, NIV

Being sick is hard. But isn’t it next-level being sick as a mom? My family is currently recovering from the flu, and it took us out. Fever, chills, aches, congestion. All of it. I can’t help but think about how I would have felt if my daughter knocked on my door while I was lying in bed sick and said, “Hey, Mom! Jesus is here.”

But this is where we find Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Sick in bed with a fever. Picture the scene. It’s the Sabbath, and the house was quiet while everyone was away at the synagogue. And—maybe just as Simon Peter’s mother-in-law was about to find some comfort in sleep—Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John all walk through the door with Jesus, whose fame is spreading through the region. I can imagine feeling flustered if I was Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. What is the state of my home? Is it clean? Do I have any food to serve these men? All while knowing, there’s nothing I can do about it while I’m sick.

In walks Jesus, who has spent the morning teaching and healing. His kind, compassionate glance meets her eyes. She just needs a touch from the ultimate healer, and he reaches down and grabs her hand. Instantly, she is healed. I wonder if she felt warmth and wholeness replace the fever in her body. Out of gratitude, she gets up and tends to the needs of her guests.

After a healing touch from Jesus, Simon Peter’s mother-in-law concerns herself entirely with meeting Jesus’ needs. He becomes her first priority. How often when we are hurting do we ask and beg for healing? Are we also so diligent and desperate to ask for strength so that when the healing comes, we can turn around and serve our kids and spouses?

Our hearts are often self-focused, and when Jesus heals us, we forget to notice. This happened in Luke 17 when Jesus healed 10 lepers and only one came back to find and thank him. When our focus is on Jesus and his goodness, we will take notice of his healing power in our life. Our gratitude toward him will lead us to joyfully serve, praising him for our health and abundance in blessings.

Challenge: Reflect on a time Jesus healed or helped you and find a way to serve others in response to his goodness.