Jesus Heals Simon Peter’s Mother-in-Law

Mark 1:30-31
But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

Luke 4:38-39
And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.

The healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law by the Lord Jesus is recorded in Mark 1:30-31 and Luke 4:38-39. We see in Luke 4:38 and Mark 1:29 that Jesus arose out of the synagogue and entered into Simon (also known as Peter)’s house. Mark 1:29 says that Jesus along with James and John went to the house of Simon and Andrew. Simon and Andrew were brothers who were fishermen turned into fishers of men for the Lord Jesus. They used to cast nets to catch fish but now they catch men and bring them to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Jesus was at the synagogue to worship the Lord God and preach the good tidings of great joy and now was headed out to Simon’s house. Wherever Jesus went, He ministered unto the people, performed miracles bountifully, released them that are in bondage and proclaimed liberty to the captives. He wasted not a single moment on earth. His life truly was meant for our sakes and every action of His depicted that His purpose was to fulfill the will of His father and to save the sinner, heal the sick, provide love for the broken-hearted, be a father unto the orphans, support the widow and thus provide redemption to the mankind by giving His life as ransom for us.

He heading out to Simon’s house speaks of the close relationship they enjoyed. Anon they told Him of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law and how she lay sick with fever. They implored Him to heal her for they pretty well knew He can and will heal her. Their faith made them urge the Lord to heal her for she loved the Lord and ministered unto them always. She was a privileged mother-in-law in that she found the favor of the Lord like Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law. Two mothers-in-law mentioned in the Bible were thus well favored and blessed abundantly. Simon’s mother-in-law was blessed for she lived with Simon whose house was frequented with the disciples of Jesus.

Per Mark, the Lord Jesus came and took her by the hand and lifted her up and as per Luke, He stood over and rebuked the fever. In both narratives we see the power of God over sickness and ailment. When God’s power either by His touch or by His word is released on us every sickness and infirmity is banished. One touch of His grace is enough as my eighty four year old friend says. This is the touch we all should plead the Lord for. This touch can transform any heartbreak into a melody of praise. Let us all lift up our voices in an anthem of praise to our Lord and may it rise high above and be a sweet sound in His ear that it delights Him and He chuckles because of it. He rebuked the fever and it left her in an instant.

Peter’s mother-in-law immediately started ministering unto them. How wonderful is this woman that in an instant she rose up and went straight to serving them? Ministering unto the Lord and His disciples should be our main occupation for no vocation can excel before this. This is her way of showing her gratitude to God and may we make this our way as well. We are all men and women given a choice to follow Lord Jesus or not. Let us make the wise choice of following Him the rest of our lives and let us make ministering unto God and His men our duty as well.

Tomorrow: The Woman with a Spirit of Infirmity