“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).
Jesus taught large crowds and would have conducted major crusades, even by our modern standards. Yet, He never lost touch with individuals. Jesus came from public ministry to Simon Peter’s home and found Simon’s mother very ill. Luke, a doctor, wrote that she was “in the grip of a high fever.” He had time for crowds, but He also had time to minister to just one.
Jesus’ compassion means that we can turn to Him in our crises. The disciples, in the little time they had known Jesus, had already learned to bring their problems to Him. In the second chapter of John’s Gospel Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding in Cana because His mother knew she could go to Him in an emergency.
The reason we come to Jesus when we need help is because His touch changes things. When our best efforts aren’t good enough and when we are over our heads in trouble Jesus is able to meet our needs. His touch restored the strength of Peter’s mother-in-law. His touch drove the fever from her body.
Don’t overlook the result of the miracle. “She began to wait on them.” Jesus’ touch enables us to serve others. When Jesus has touched us it is only natural that we allow that touch to change us. He heals us so we can bring healing to others. He gives us life so we can introduce others to Him. He is the Healer of our diseases, the Restorer of our strength and the Enabler who helps us minister to others.
