When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, Peter’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.
MATHEW 8:14–15
They should be coming soon. Service will be over. They will be hungry. Must get up. She tried to lift herself out of bed, but her head throbbed. Sweat covered her face and neck, her wet hair matted to her head. Hot, so hot. Her body shook with chills. She pulled up the blanket and then abruptly threw it off. The room spun around her. She was losing her mind. Need to get up. They will be hungry. In a moment of clarity, the reality of her situation struck. I’m dying. This is what dying feels like. Through a blur, she saw someone standing at her bedside. Someone touched her hand. The confusion began to lift. A refreshing cool sensation washed over her body. Relief. Her eyes focused, and she found herself looking into the face of pure love. It was the Teacher. “You must be hungry,” she said. Before He could answer, she got out of bed and began preparing a meal.
Her hands busy kneading dough, she thought about how her life had changed. She was alone, but she had opened her home to them. Her daughter’s husband, Peter, and his brother Andrew needed a place to stay while in Capernaum. They were from nearby Bethsaida, but after the Teacher called them, they needed to be here with Him. Oh, how she loved serving them. Somehow, she knew she was part of something important. Somehow, she knew His love would change the world (Matthew 8:14–17; Mark 1:29–34; Luke 4:38–41).
Three Gospel writers record the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, and Jesus used a slightly different method in each. In Matthew, He touched her hand (Matthew 8:15). Luke wrote that Jesus “rebuked the fever” (Luke 4:39). Mark records that He “took her by the hand, and helped her sit up” (Mark 1:31). It was likely a combination of words and touch that healed her. Regardless of His method, Jesus acted without delay when He learned of her illness (Mark 1:30). He never ignored an opportunity to meet the needs of those who were suffering because He cares deeply about every single person.
Later that evening, Jesus further demonstrated to His disciples His compassion for the sick and hurting. With the whole town gathered at the door to watch (Mark 1:33), He cast out evil spirits with a simple command and healed all the sick people who came to Him (Matthew 8:16). In doing so, He not only met their immediate needs but fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases” (Matthew 8:17). Since this verse substitutes “sicknesses” and “diseases” for the words “weaknesses” and “sorrows” in Isaiah 53:4, we can know He included physical healing when Isaiah said, “He was whipped so we could be healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
Peter’s mother-in-law was bedridden and close to death, but the words and touch of Jesus were all it took to pull her to her feet. Her first response to receiving His love was to give it back. She served Him and those staying in her home with a heart of gratitude. Jesus feels the same love and compassion for you. He will never ignore you. He may not heal in the way you expect, but He always heals. You matter to Him. He was whipped to prove how much you matter. How else can you respond to such love but with a grateful heart?
Forgive me for believing the lie that You don’t care about me and that You have somehow forgotten about me. I know it is virtually impossible for You to forget me. Yes, Lord, You know my every need. I can trust You won’t delay. You proved Your love for me once and for all on the cross where You said, “It is finished.” You paid the price and made Your love for me complete. I am overwhelmed by the width, length, height, and depth of Your love (Ephesians 3:18). It humbles me.
Thank You, Lord, that I am healed by Your stripes! Rivers of gratitude overflow from my heart. I can’t help but give it all back to You, Lord. What else can I do? Show me who needs Your love and compassion today. Help me give Your love away. As I pour out Your love, may You continue to heal, restore, refill, and replenish. More, Lord, more. I love You.