Healing in salvation, healed to serve

SCRIPTURE:

²⁹ As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. ³⁰ Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. ³¹ So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

³² That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. ³³ The whole town gathered at the door, ³⁴ and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. Mark 1:29-34

OBSERVATION:

The casting out of the demon at the synagogue was one of the Lord’s first public appearances. But straight from there, he now went to the private home of two of his disciples, Simon Peter and Andrew to attend to Peter’s mother-in-law who was sick in bed with a fever. He went to her and as He took her hand and helped her up, the fever left.

In contrast to the Lord’s many public healing displays and casting out of demons, this private incident seems trivial at first sight, but it had a profound impact on Peter, on whose testimony the gospel of Mark was written, and it teaches us an important principle. The Lord’s ministry was not only public to the masses, but also private, to individuals. Also, it shows that the Lord cares for and holds in especially great value the families of His disciples.

Once healed, Peter’s mother-in-law immediately began to wait on Jesus and His disciples. This also teaches us an important principle. There are times when we are sick and tired and need the Lord’s touch to revive us, but when we become healthy and well, we are to use the energy given to us to serve the Lord and His disciples. Too often, we take for granted the energy we have to move and do things. Remember that it is in Jesus that we live and move and have our being. In hell, where God’s presence is absent, the people have no strength, and every simple movement requires great effort. When we have strength and energy on us, we are also accountable to God to work with Him to use what we have for His glory!

After sunset that evening, crowds gathered at the door where Jesus healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. The word for salvation, “sozo” in Greek, encompasses a total healing of body, soul, spirit. Salvation involves not only forgiveness of our sins but healing of our bodies. Jesus is both Savior and Healer, yesterday, today and forever!

APPLICATION:

Praise the Lord that He heals both publicly and privately. He is our great compassionate healer, always willing to reach out and touch and heal those who come to Him. Praise the Lord that He also cares especially for the families of those of us who follow Him. As we pray for them, we can petition with great assurance that the Lord loves them so dearly.  

Praise God for the energy we have, the ability to move about and do things. This we so often take for granted. Pray that God will help us use the energy we have to work with Him to bless others.

PRAYER:

We praise You, Lord Jesus, our Compassionate Savior and Healer. We thank You, Lord that You heal every disease, and forgive all our sins. We thank You, Lord, that You love and care for our family members. We uphold those who do not know You before You, precious Lord. Have mercy on them, Lord, call them to You that they might find Your healing and salvation.

We praise You and thank You, Lord that it is in You that we live and move and have our being. Lead us O Lord, to use our energy, our time, our ability to do what pleases You in serving others. We praise You and thank You, precious Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.