JESUS HEALS AN IN-LAW

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   There are over thirty specific miracles of Jesus that are found in the gospels.

 

B.   They showcase His marvelous power and are one of the proofs that He is the Son of God (John 5:36; 20:30-31; Acts 2:22).

 

C.   There is a miracle that is told us in the gospel accounts that occupies very little space in the Biblical text. 

1.    I have never preached on this miracle alone.

2.    It is recorded for us in the synoptic gospels, that is, Matthew, Mark and Luke.

3.    We are going to set our sights on Mark’s gospel (Mark 1:30-31). 

4.    Occasionally, we will refer to the other accounts when additional information is provided for us (Matt.8:14-15; Luke 4:38-39).

 

D.   Mark 1:30-31

 

But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever; and anon they tell him of her.  And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

 

I.             IDENTIFIER:  But Simon’s

 

A.   Simon was one of the apostles of Jesus Christ (Matt. 10:2-4).

 

B.   Before following Jesus, he was a fisherman (Matt. 4:18).

 

C.   We know him better by his surname, Peter.

1.    Matthew 16:18

 

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

 

2.    He was also called “Cephas” which means rock or stone as well (John 1:42).

 

D.   Three facts that are well-known about Peter.

1.    He was impetuous.

2.    He denied the Lord three times.

3.    He wrote two books of the New Testament that are called by his name.

 

II.           INTERCONNECTED:  wife’s

 

A.   Peter had a wife.

1.    This is specifically stated in the text.

2.    Had this not be revealed, we would still know that he was a married man because he notes that he was an elder in 1 Peter 5:1.  One of the qualifications of an elder is that he had to be the husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6).

3.    Nowhere in the New Testament are we ever told his wife’s name.

 

B.   The Catholics claim that Peter was the first pope.

1.    Popes, however, are not supposed to be married men according to Catholic doctrine.

2.    How can they accept that their first pope violates their own teachings?

 

C.   NOTE:  The Bible anticipates religious error long before the error manifests itself.  This is one of the proofs of the inspiration of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16).

 

III.         IN-LAW:  MOTHER

 

A.   Peter’s wife had a mother. 

 

B.   This would make her Peter’s mother-in-law.

 

C.   We are not told her name either.

 

D.   There have been many jokes made about mother’s-in-law. 

1.    Example:  The movie, “Monster-in-Law”

2.    Some of them are probably justified.

3.    My mother-in-law, Josephine Connolly, was jewel.

4.    Mother’s-in-law can be a blessing or a curse to their son-in-law or daughter-in-law.

 

IV.         INFIRMITY:  lay sick of a fever

 

A.   Fever

1.    The root of the word means “fire.”

2.    A literal translation is “to be on fire.”

 

B.   Luke’s gospel describes her fever as a “great fever.”

 

C.   A fever is an indication that your body is attempting to fight an infection.

 

D.   The symptoms that come with a fever can be extremely discomforting as well:  chills or shivering, sweating, body aches, headache, lethargy, being irritable, loss of appetite, dehydration, and a red or flushed face.

 

E.   If one’s body temperature reaches 104, it can become dangerous situation.  A fever can cause the body to have seizures.

 

V.           INFORMED:  and anon they tell him of her

 

A.   Jesus and the disciples had left the synagogue and had entered into Peter’s house.

 

B.   His mother-in-law was probably in another room of the house.

 

C.   As they entered the house, Jesus was informed of her illness.  This happens today when we visit a home.  A child or a spouse may be sick and the person who hosts us lets us know the individual is in the other room not feeling well.

 

VI.         INTERESTED:  and he came

 

A.   Jesus showed an interest in Peter’s mother-in-law.

 

B.   That interest was manifested by action.  He came to her.

 

C.   When we hear of a sick person in a house, our first instinct is to leave just as quickly as we can. 

 

VII.       INTIMACY:  and took her by the hand, and lifted her up

 

A.   Jesus was not inappropriate with this woman, but He did express some intimacy by taking her by the hand and lifting her up.

 

B.   When He touched her hand, it could have been extremely warm.  Too, it could have been somewhat cold and clammy.

 

C.   I can see Jesus pulling her up slowly from her reclining position.  He may have put His other hand behind her back to help bring her forward.

 

D.   LESSON:  In the realm of caregiving, there are times when one must touch the body of the ailing individual.  Sometimes the concepts of modesty and shame must take a backburner for the sake of the one who is sick.

 

VIII.     INSTRUCTION:  he rebuked the fever (Luke 4:39)

 

A.   We now point you to Luke’s gospel again.  He reveals something Matthew and Mark do reveal (Mark 4:39).

 

.And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever…

 

B.   The word rebuke here means “to forbid.” 

1.    Thayer says it carries the idea of admonishing and charging sharply.

2.    Jesus instructed the fever to leave the woman’s body.

 

C.   Jesus was manifesting His great power as the ruler over all things.

1.    Some form of harmful bacteria was hurting the body of Peter’s mother-in-law.

2.    The Great Physician knew exactly what was happening to her. 

a.    He needed no medication.

b.    He simply rebuked the fever with His words.

 

IX.         IMMEDIACY:  and immediately

 

A.   After the fever was rebuked, we are told:  “…and immediately the fever left her…”

 

B.   The fever and all that was associated with it immediately departed from her body.

 

C.   They did not have to hear the words:  “The next 24 hours are critical.” 

 

D.   This is one of the characteristics of a true miracle, that is, the immediacy of the healing.

1.    Fevers departed.

2.    Sight was restored.

3.    Individuals could hear.

4.    Ears were put back in place.

5.    The lame immediately began to walk.

 

X.           IMPECCABLE:  the fever left her

 

A.   The fever left her completely.

 

B.   Many of us have experienced the moment when a fever “breaks.”

1.    There is relief from the heat.

2.    Our body relaxes and we are able to rest.

3.    However, we are still not well.  We may take another day or so to get our strength back and to begin to function properly.

 

C.   This was not the case with Peter’s mother-in-law.  She was restored to complete health the moment Jesus rebuked the fever and it left her body.

 

XI.         INVOLVED:  and she ministered unto them

 

A.   An evidence that she was restored completely is that she became actively involved in Jesus’ visit.

 

B.   The text reveals that “she ministered unto them.”

1.    Things she did not do:

a.    She did not leave and go to work.

b.    She did not depart and head to the ballgame.

c.    She did not say, “Good bye,” and go to be with her friends.

2.    Peter’s mother-in-law did not take her blessing for granted.  She used her restored energy to serve and labor on behalf Jesus and His disciples.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   When we first read a brief text in the Bible, we wonder:  “What can I really say about this event?”  It initially appears to contain little information.

 

B.   However, when we truly study the verse, we find a wealth of information therein.  To this speaker, this is one of the evidences of the inspiration of the Biblical text.  The verses are literally filled with the wisdom of God.

 

C.   Are you spiritually ill today, suffering from the disease of sin?

Do you need to be healed by the Great Physician?

When you are healed, how will you respond to His wonderful blessing?