Mark 1:29-31 “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 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.”
Mark 1:29-31 is powerful in its simplicity. Jesus has finished his encounter in the synagogue and is going to rest at the home of one of his disciples. There is no sense of agenda in this act, only a relational moment in the life of their faith community. What makes this so powerful is that it communicates that Jesus is the same Jesus in the home of a friend that he is in the public place of ministry. He does instruct the disciples to bring Peter’s mother to the meeting tomorrow night. He doesn’t have any pretension of a perfect setting with the right music playing. Jesus sees a need and meets it! In faith… in power… with mercy; when Jesus hears about the need he responds.
There is nothing dramatic about this healing. Jesus hears that Peter’s mother-in-law is sick and goes to her. He doesn’t shout, nor speak in tongues. He doesn’t do anything that indicates anything more than the simple expectation that she will be healed because he is there. He reaches out her hand and helps her up and the fever simply disappears. A simple act of faith manifests itself with an expectation that the fever must go, because Jesus has come! That’s authority!
In addition to being a beautiful demonstration of simple faith this passage illustrates the heart of a true disciple. How does Peter’s mother-in-law say thank you? She serves. There is no fanfare. Peter’s mother-in-law simple rises up and turns her gratitude into service. This passage says that “she began to wait on them.” Oh, that every person who ever receives a touch from God would respond with the same devotion. When He comes and lifts your burdens then wait on Him. When He comes and heals your body… wait on Him. When He comes and you experience the forgiveness of your sins, wait on Him. Listen to His voice… look for the opportunity to serve Him that will always be there if He is there as well. Make yourself available to God and give thanks with more than just your words.
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