Serving In The Shadows

Peter’s wife was familiar with the shadow of anonymity.

SERVING TOGETHER

I want to glean one more point from Paul’s mention of Mrs. Simon accompanying her husband on his travels. It is a small one, but I think it’s significant. The healing of Peter’s mother-in-law took place in the first year of Jesus’ ministry - somewhere between A.D. 27 and 30. Paul probably wrote First Corinthians in the mid-50’s. A quarter of a century or more separates these two accounts in the Scriptures. And yet we read that Peter still takes his wife with him on his jaunts around the country.

It isn’t always easy, nor is it always convenient to travel as a couple. It wasn’t in the first century, nor is it in the 21st century. The old saying is, "he who travels fastest, goes alone." We might amend it to also read, "he who travels cheapest goes alone." One person traveling is cheaper than two. Motels often advertise their singles rates and attach a small fee for each additional occupant. But it seems that Peter thought the advantages of having his wife along with him outweighed the disadvantages.

There were risks involved in traveling as a team. First century road hazards included things like bandits. Remember the traveler, in Jesus’ story of the good Samaritan, who fell among the thieves? And there was the frequent persecution of the Christian evangelists. Whether by Jews of the synagogues or pagans of the temples, the lives of Christian ministers have often been made difficult by those to whom they minister.

Mrs. Simon must have been a help and a comfort to her husband on their journeys. She was an encouragement to him. Otherwise, had the tension been too great between them, he may have found it easier to have gone solo. But instead he took her along with him. Despite the dangers, despite the expenses, and despite the inconveniences she must have made his trips a little less taxing than they would have been without her along. They were serving the Lord together.

Peter’s wife served along with her husband.

Close:

The application of all this is quite simple.

You may serve with your husband in the shadows of obscurity and anonymity but yours is not a role of insignificance. Back-woods and back-stage do not mean back-seat in the matter of Kingdom importance. Your name may not be recognized far and wide but your influence is felt where it is needed. The name of your town may not be readily recognized - even by others in your District - but you render untold services to the Lord as you serve along with your husband at his side.

Mrs. Simon must have endured many hardships through the years as she joined her husband on his travels. We aren’t told what they were, nor how many there were, but we know they faced them in the first century - just as we do in the 21st century. And we can be fairly certain her presence was a source of comfort and strength to her husband Peter. Her influence was a blessing and an encouragement to him.

Along with your husband, you have faced the hardships, and inconveniences, and the expenses of ministry. And, at times, your lives have been made difficult by those to whom you have ministered. You have drawn from your husband’s strength, and he has drawn from yours. The Lord, in His providence, and mercy, and grace, has placed the two of you together in the ministries to which He has called you. Together you are an enduring team. Press on!