Introduction
The author Stephen W. Sorenson wrote in Discipleship Journal:
For two years, because of severe tendinitis in both wrists, I could not pick up my young daughter, carry a log, or even open a twist-off pop bottle. To make matters worse, my wife and I, with help from family and friends, were building a major addition to our home when the tendinitis developed, so I couldn’t even use a hammer. I wondered whether I would ever regain full use of my hands.
But, our remodeling went on. We installed a second-story window on one blustering evening with the help of some Christian friends and a man named Willy, a retired military musician.
Afterward, before the window crew began eating dinner, I prayed a simple prayer. Willy listened carefully and watched how the rest of us interacted. Later, as he was leaving, he said, “People don’t help each other like this anymore.”
I replied, “Sure they do!”
Willy came back to our house, day after day. He dug up our septic tank, cut diseased trees, and simply spent time with us. I sensed he understood my pain and our need. One afternoon as we walked and talked in the woods, I discovered why.
For most of his life, Willy had lived for his music, but a devastating ear problem developed, preventing him from listening to music of any kind. As a result, rather than being put off by my injury, Willy was drawn to me because of our common ground. And before we went separate ways, Willy became a Christian.
As I look back, I don’t know if I would have taken time to talk with Willy had my wrists been well. Most likely I’d have been hammering nails or running a chain saw. So “All” I could do was listen and talk. But in God’s plan that was enough. (Larson, Craig Brian & Leadership Journal, 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers & Writers, Baker: Grand Rapids, 1993. Pg.483)
We all have needs. For some, we may be like Stephen Sorenson, struggling with a medical condition, but still needing to work thorough life. Or we may be like Willy, looking for a friend that can relate to his own ailment. For others, we may need assistance with a car that won’t start and somehow we have to get to work on time. We all have our own, unique needs. But for all of us, we require a savior to lift us out of the sinful lives that we’ve all lived in.
In the Gospel lesson today, we heard the story of Jesus leaving the synagogue after a day of preaching, teaching and healing. Following such a busy day, working at establishing His ministry on earth, Jesus came to visit Simon Peter and Andrew at their home. After a long day, Jesus might have been ready to take a load off of his feet, kick back, and relax among his disciples and friends. But, the evening wasn’t so uneventful. Instead of a quiet evening, Jesus found Peter’s mother-in-law, in bed, and sick with fever. Although he needed time to relax from a busy day, the needs of Peter’s mother-in-law were more pressing. But, our Gospel message today addresses more than just the needs of these two people.
Today, I’d like to look at several people’s needs from three different points of view in the gospel story. Simon Peter, Peter’s mother-in-law and the crowd that followed all had different things that they needed. But each was willing to seek out Jesus and satisfy their unique desires. Each took a moment out of their day to seek out Jesus as the great solution to their problems. Each approached their needs with a slightly different frame of mind.
Peter Had a Need
First, let’s take a look at the needs of Simon Peter.
Jesus spent the better part of the Sabbath teaching those around him. He impressed them because of His confidence, authority and knowledge. The crowds were amazed at how He spoke, what He said, and what He did. Look at what He accomplished in his ministry among the people: He chased a demon out of a man with only a word, He commanded an unclean spirit, and the spirit obeyed, He dumbfounded those around Him with His wisdom and words of authority. All these amazing things they heard Him say, and saw him perform; they didn’t understand who this man was, but they wanted to know more. They wanted to find out more about this teacher and understand the message He was delivering. Peter was also part of that group. He wanted to learn more from this rabbi who called him to be a disciple.
Peter wanted to continue his journey with Jesus, but he was also a friend of the Lord who probably wanted to help Jesus unwind after such a busy day. Simon Peter followed Him, listened intently, and knew He had a lot more to learn from this man from Galilee. So, he invited Jesus to his house to help him relax, and take care of his tired mentor, as well as learn a few more tidbits of wisdom from the master.
It was common for folks to eat a meal after being in the temple on the Sabbath and this is where Peter, Jesus and the others were headed. Simon Peter had established a relationship with Jesus. He was one of the original disciples. But, he wasn’t content leaving Jesus alone at the synagogue. Instead, he brought Him home with him. He didn’t leave him in the temple, but ensured He was part of His life outside the church. He invited Him to spend time away from the temple, and in his everyday life.
He shared his house, his table, his life, with his Lord and Savior. He chose to spend more than just a few minutes a week with God. He spent hours and days dedicated to learning about, and following Jesus. Peter had a need to learn more about the Lord and learn more from Jesus. Perhaps we can learn a lot from how Peter chose to spent time with God. Peter’s need was one of knowledge, and He used his time to expand His understanding of Jesus.
Peter’s Mother-in-law Had a Need
Peter’s mother-in-law also had needs, and she was fortunate to experience Jesus’ power first hand. She was bed ridden with a fever and couldn’t greet her guests at the door. Luke describes her illness as being a high fever. Given the conditions of the day, and the likelihood of recovery, she probably had a life threatening condition that could have taken her from this world. But, Jesus was there to assist.
Our Lord could have healed her from a distance, with nothing more than a word from His lips. In fact, He did just that on occasion. But, that’s not the path He chose to take today. Instead, He came into the house, approached the ill woman, took her hand, and she was healed. Her condition was improved so quickly, and so completely, that not only was she able to get up and move about the house, she was able to serve her guests as was the practice of the day.
When He healed this woman, she could have chosen to relax, and enjoy the moment, or maybe share her joy with others about the miraculous event. But, she had a different idea. She responded with the gifts she was given. She had a guest in the house, and that guest was Jesus. He had just shared His power with her by blessing her with the removal of her fever. She chose to show her appreciation by serving her house guest. She chose to spend time with Jesus and help take care of His needs by taking care of His comfort, His appetite, and His rest.
Part of being a friend, is being there for others when they need you. It’s taking care of some of their needs even when we have needs of our own. As it’s said in a familiar song that we’ll sing during communion today, what a friend we have in Jesus. Just like this woman had a friend in Jesus, we also have that same friend. Just like the friends we have in our neighborhoods who expect us to spend time with them, Jesus also expects us to spend time with Him. Jesus needs our attention so that we can hear what He has to say. Peter’s mother-in-law had a need for healing and a need for friendship. She received these things, and shared her talents with he guests.
The Crowds Had Needs
But there were others that had needs; the crowd pursued Jesus as news of His healings spread. The masses of followers came in great droves pushing toward Him soon after He arrived. Think of the crowds that must have gathered around Him, pressing in, trying to get closer to this new teacher, perhaps pushing their way to the front. As Jesus spoke, people listened. As they heard His message, they talked to those next to them. You can almost image some of the questions that must have been asked between people. Who is this guy? Did you hear what He said? As the murmuring increased, so did the size of the crowds listening. More and more people gathered to see this new teacher and hear what He had to say. Once they saw Him give orders to the demon in a man, it grabbed their attention even more. He spent the day at the Synagogue teaching, preaching, and cleaning the spirit of one man. All while fighting off the crowds, answering questions, and building the beginning of His new ministry. The crowds pressed in and around Jesus. Some were there to get healed, some to listen to this remarkable teacher, and others just to see what all the fuss was about.
The crowds recognized the wisdom and power of Jesus and sought Him out. They brought their sick to find a cure for their ailments. They brought those with fevers, hoping that Jesus would restore them to good health. But, more importantly, they brought their questions, looking for answers no-one else could provide. They brought their hearts to find the truth in the God’s message to them all. The crowd had needs, and they found them fulfilled by seeking out Jesus.
Conclusion
Peter, his mother-in-law, and the crowd all had needs that were fulfilled in the coming of Jesus. But, a need can’t be truly answered unless we understand what that need is.
The magazine, Christianity Today, reported in its April 4, 1986 issue of a tool company that manufactured drill bits. Faced with financial losses, company executives gathered to discuss the problem: a declining demand for drill bits. The CEO challenged his men: "How can we revive the bit market?" After an embarrassing silence, one member of the team dispelled the fog: "Sir, the market isn't for bits…its for holes!" The story illustrates a basic, but often overlooked truth: "The customer never buys a product. By definition, the customer buys the satisfaction of a want" (in the words of Peter Drucker). To put it another way, there are no markets for products--only markets for what products can do. In contemporary industry, the Xerox Corp. shows this principle in action. Xerox successfully pioneered the copy-machine industry by leasing copiers at a "per copy" price rather than selling machines outright. They correctly saw the market was for copies, not machines. (adopted from Christianity Today, April 4, 1986, available on-line at http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/n/needs.htm)
It’s important to figure out exactly what we need so that we can address the real problem, and find a solution. Like the tool company, we can become short sighted and not understand the real underlying need. Customers were not concerned about the tool to make a hole, but the holes themselves. Like Xerox, it’s the end product that’s required. Customers don’t need machines, but copies.
In the case of Stephen Sorenson, he needed help with repairing his home due to his tendinitis. He found assistance in his friends, family, and especially with Willy. But, his friend Willy also had a need. He needed to understand what Christianity was all about. He needed someone to relate to, who could understand his hearing problem. Willy found an understanding person and could relate to in Stephen and in the process, found Christ as well.
Peter needed to learn more from Jesus. To accomplish that, he didn’t leave Jesus at the door of the temple. Instead, Simon Peter brought Jesus home with him. He spent time at His feet. He listened to His words and observed His teachings. Peter brought Jesus into every aspect of his life.
Peter’s mother-in-law showed appreciation for the gift that she had been given. She didn’t abuse the gift. She didn’t ignore the needs around her. She didn’t ignore the gift and do nothing. Instead, she found a way to serve her Lord and Savior, in the best way she knew how.
The Crowd sought out answers to questions they didn’t even understand. They didn’t know who Jesus was, or what He was all about, or why He came. But, they continued to pursue the truth, even when they weren’t fully aware of who He was.
But our needs today are just as pressing, and just as important. Jesus’ ministry was one or preaching repentance and granting forgiveness. He used the miracles to demonstrate his power, but that wasn’t really the need being fulfilled. He had a message to deliver, that required being exposed to His word and His teachings, in addition to His miracles. His word reveals that we are sinful human beings and need a savior. We need the forgiveness that His life offered us in his sacrifice on the cross. Jesus’ ministry was about providing justice for our sins, by taking the punishment that we deserve, on His sinless, perfect shoulders.
Like Peter’s mother-in-law received the healing that she needed, we too need to be healed from our sinful lives. Once healed, she used her gifts to aid those around her. Like her, we have gifts that can benefit those around us as well. There is another Willy out there, waiting to find a friend who can understand his situation, someone to relate to. Someone who can find out about Christianity. Seek out your neighbors, co-workers, friends and family. They have needs to be met just like Willy, and serve, just like Peter’s mother-in-law.
Like the crowds seeking questions, we too need to ask who Jesus is and pursue those answers. No-one has all the answers, except God Himself. Seek him out to help understand the questions, as well as the answers.
Like the tool company, we need to re-examine our needs based on what’s happening around us. Today, we may need guidance. Tomorrow, it may be education. The day after it might be strength. Many days, it will be forgiveness that we’ll need. Jesus provided for all of these needs, through the Word he pronounced, and the teachings he proclaimed. We have been given the scriptures to help us decipher our needs, and prepare for the future. But, we can’t leave Jesus at the church steps. We have to take Him with us, everywhere we go. We have to be willing to ask the questions, that we have yet to understand. We have to bring Jesus into our lives, into our houses, into our hearts, and address those needs by connecting with His Word and through prayer.
Don’t leave Jesus at the door. Take him home with you today, and spend a few moments learning what He can teach you.
