Mark 1:29-31

Passage

Immediately Jesus leaves the synagogue and goes in to stay with Peter and Andrew.  James and John are also there, as is Peter’s sick mother-in-law.  Immediately they tell Jesus about her illness.  Jesus went to her side, took her hand, helped her to her feet, and she was healed.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jesus goes to stay with Peter and Andrew.  Here’s something really interesting, though.  In Matthew 4:12-13 (prior to calling his first disciples), we are told that Jesus makes a home in Capernaum.  In Mark 2:1-3 we are told that the paralytic man’s friends actually cut the hole in Jesus’ own rooftop in Capernaum!  So we know that Jesus had a house in Capernaum.  So why would Jesus go and stay with Peter and Andrew instead of going to His own house for the evening?  The answer rests in making valuable use of time.  The time when a person’s heart is truly open to Jesus is remarkably small.  Satan knows when a person is willing and loves nothing more than to fill that sensitivity with the things of the world.  Jesus goes to stay with Simon and Andrew while the call to discipleship is young and they are the most vulnerable – and receptive.

Have you had times in your life where you were looking for God and that searching wasn’t filled?  What filled that searching?  Does this help you understand why Jesus would take advantage of the opportunity now?  What does this teach us about being ready ourselves to take advantage of opportunities when other people are likewise searching?

Second Thought:

Peter and Andrew don’t hesitate to tell Jesus about their mother-in-law.  It’s not that they want to impose.  Rather, it is that they know Jesus can do something about it.  Notice that they also don’t force their will upon Jesus.  They merely tell Jesus about it and then wait for Jesus’ response.  That’s how the disciple-mentor relationship works with Jesus.  We should not be afraid to lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus.  Neither should we expect Him to resolve our burdens for us and in the manner we desire.

How often do we pray for things to go our own way?  How often in our relationship with God do we actually assert our will rather than let Him know we are humbling ourselves to His will?  Do you think God doesn’t already know our desires?  If so, what is more important – telling God our desires or telling Him we are humble and willing to abide by His?

Third Thought:

Jesus heals the woman.  In fact, we also don’t have any record that Jesus did anything but touch her and lift her up.  Jesus doesn’t need any mystical mantra.  He doesn’t have to say any magical words or do a magical routine.  He doesn’t have to have any particular holy symbol.  The presence of God’s Messiah is enough to make all the difference in her life.  Literally, Jesus just reached down and lifted her up out of her condition.

How neat is it to see that Jesus doesn’t need a special magic set of words or a special holy object?  What does it say to you about the presence of Jesus being all you need?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 1:32-34