"simon Says...." Part Two: Re-Thinking Possible Series

“SIMON SAYS”

REFLECTING UPON THE JOURNEY OF ONE WHO FOLLOWED JESUS.

PART TWO: RE-THINKING POSSIBLE

Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-law and Others

Luke 4:38-41 (See also Matthew 8:14-17 and Mark 1:29-34)

38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law is suffering from a high fever,

There is a word here that stands out to me—Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering—she was in misery—she was sidelined—and she was probably concerned about what might happen to her next.

What do we do with suffering?

I don’t know about you, but one of the hardest things for me is to watch someone suffer and to be unable to ease their suffering. You just feel powerless.

While the causes of suffering vary and range from self-inflicted misery – think injuring yourself while attempting something reckless—like trying to ride a skateboard down the steepest hill in town…

To needless suffering caused by the foolishness of another—think getting hit by a drunk driver...

Whatever the cause--It is a miserable thing to suffer—and Peter’s mother-in-law IS suffering with a high fever!

The world of the first century took fevers seriously, especially high fevers. While the works of Hippocrates had been around for four hundred years by the time of Jesus—the causes of fever were still quite mysterious. Many in the first century still attributed fever to spiritual causes, such as divine punishment or evil spirits. Others thought fever was caused by the air someone breathed or by imbalances of phlegm, blood and bile in the body.

First century treatments for fever often started with things we might still do today--like a cool wet cloth on the forehead, or a cool or tepid bath, even trying to “starve a fever” by fasting—but they went on to herbal treatments like chewing on willow tree bark and chewing the leaves of the feverfew plant. If none of those things worked--bloodletting was always perceived as a viable first century option.

While the causes of fever were unknown, the results were very well known—fever could be a forerunner of death.

So, when Peter’s mother-in-law comes down with a high fever, he and his household are naturally concerned, so we read that Simon and his wife make a request of Jesus:

“and they asked Jesus to help her. “

SIMON SAID TO JESUS “Please Help Her.” AND JESUS DID!

9 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

One thing I find interesting in this story is the fact that the healing of Jesus was so complete, she did not need any more rest or any more time off her feet. She was completely healed and completely re-energized—she quite literally hits the ground running and serving and quite probably “running the show” as head hostess that evening.

She was completely – restored. Jesus does not do things halfway! He is mighty to save.

Let me ask you, is there anyone close to you who needs the help of Jesus?

Do you know someone currently living in a space of suffering?

Let me encourage you to invite Jesus into their situation and circumstance.

He is still mighty to save.

I am always mindful of the words of James in chapter 5 beginning with verse 13:

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.

The same Jesus who healed Peter’s mother-in-law still lives.

Still heals.

Still saves!

While Peter might not have realized it at the time, he was very much living out the words of the prophet Isaiah:

Isaiah 55:6

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

Simon sought the Lord for someone he cared about, and we should too!

What happened next was equally thrilling. The neighbors got wind of what had happened to Peter’s mom-in-law, and they were like, “Jesus is in the house tonight, and he is healing the sick!

And they came running!

LUKE 4:40-41

40 At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.

Whatever the causes of their illnesses – germs, accidents, poor choices by them or by others, even spiritual causes involving demons—none of them could endure against the healing touch and words of Jesus! When He touched you—you were healed and restored!