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The Example of Peter's Mother-In-Law

Text: Matthew 8 : 14 - 18

After a hard day preaching and teaching, Jesus went to the home of Peter’s mother-in-law, for a well-earned rest. However, he found that His hostess had taken ill. She had a fever so severe that she was forced to lie down!

Lovingly, Jesus expressed deep concern for her. Forgetting His own weariness, He reached out, touched her and restored her health immediately. The fever was gone, and she was able to get up to give to her guests the welcome they deserved! Matthew’s observation was well preserved.

“And she arose and served them.”
Matthew 8:15

1. The duties of a good host

A well brought up Jewish matron knew well her duties to her guests. She must rouse the whole household to provide the necessities.

a) Feet to be washed

b) Refreshing fragrant oil to be made available

c) Food to be prepared and served

We do not know if Peter’s mother-in-law had servants to assist her in her work. But this much we know, she personally “served them”. Jesus was not alone! He had disciples with Him. They too needed to be refreshed and fed.

2. Opening up of the home for ministry

Another outstanding thing that Peter’s mother-in-law did was to open up her home for Jesus to use. Her home suddenly became a busy clinic for many sick people. The demon-possessed were also not denied entrance into her home!

How should a person who has been healed by Jesus respond? Peter’s mother-in-law stood out as an excellent example of how one may respond! Serving the Lord, and wherever there is a need must fill the heart and mind of one who has received the healing grace of God!

FURTHER INSIGHTS TO THE HEALING MINISTRY OF JESUS

The Healing Ministry of Jesus had to be recorded in the Gospels. There were many reasons why He engaged in that ministry.

1. To fulfil prophecy

This was the foremost reason Mathew singled out for special mention. Jesus was fulfilling something that God had already determined for His Son to do.

2. As an act of Compassion

To see so many sick people was to be moved by their plight. To see people possessed by demons must evoke a powerful response from Jesus! His heart was full of compassion, and thus He reached out and healed the many who came to Him that evening in the home of Peter’s mother-in-law.

3. Signs and wonders

To be healed must indeed be understood as “a sign and a wonder”. How can it be otherwise? Surely the following questions must be thought of?

a) Who is this Healer?

b) How did He come to possess such powers?

c) What are His teachings?

d) How could one become associated with Him?

e) How could one express deep, personal gratitude to Him for His healing grace?

These are just some of the questions that any normal person would think about! No one who has received healing can go away without having been deeply touched by His life and ministry!

GOOD INTENTIONS ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH

While Jesus lovingly healed the many who came to Him, He knew that this was not His focus nor was this His calling. Matthew highlighted some dangers that crept up as more and more people came to Jesus for healing.

“And when Jesus saw great multitudes about
Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side.”
Matthew 8:18

Mark’s comment in his Gospel is now better understood when he wrote about how the leper’s testimony caused many to seek Jesus out. His testimony concerning his healing became counter-productive. He may have good intentions, but that is not good enough. Understanding and obedience would have been better.

“However, he went out and began to proclaim
it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus
could no longer openly enter the city, but was
outside in deserted places; and they came to
Him from every direction.”
Mark 1:45

Jesus’ ministry in the city of Capernaum was now effectively over! He couldn’t even enter into the city because of the sheer press of people who sought Him out for healing! The lack of understanding concerning His healing ministry can hurt His work!