Sunday 04 February 2024

Psalm 147

Background

Today we read about a Sabbath day early in Jesus’ public ministry. On the Sabbath, people were not supposed to rest and not do any work. Jesus has astounded people with the inner authority of his teaching in the synagogue and his first public act of ministry has been to rebuke and cast out an evil spirit from a man. He also demonstrates the authority to silence the evil spirit. In Jesus we see words and action coming together. His inner intentions, speaking, acting, all one.

The story of Jesus healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law takes place in a private house and is witnessed by four disciples.

In the ancient world fever was regarded as the illness, rather than a symptom. In Luke’s Gospel Jesus ‘rebukes’ the fever, which is the same word he has just used to cast out the evil spirit of the man in the synagogue. It suggests his power over such things.

Jesus touches the woman, and taking her by the hand, lifts her up. The verb 'lift up' could be interpreted to suggest resurrection. She is restored to an active participation in her community.

We then read that she serves them. The idea of her ‘serving’ the men may jar for us in the 21st century. But we could see her as modelling 'servant ministry' which Jesus himself is embodying and will call his disciples to follow. Perhaps the healing that each of us needs in body and spirit is to release us to play our active, full and appointed role in God’s world. We are healed so we can serve with gladness and thankfulness.

Accounts of the healing get out, and when the sun sets and the Sabbath is over, many are brought to Jesus for healing. (v. 32) People waited because the Sabbath had restrictions on carrying burdens, including the sick.

Even though Jesus is in high demand, he intentionally seeks solitude and time for prayer. The deserted place he chooses echoes the wilderness later where he will spend time and be tempted by the devil. Jesus needs the time of withdrawal to check out his priorities with God. The disciples don’t understand and ‘hunt’ him out because there is so much healing work to do. But Jesus does not let them set his agenda. He obeys his sense of calling, about which he has been praying continuously. 

To Ponder:

• Four disciples witness the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. Now we are reflecting on what it tells us about Jesus and our role in our community. What stories of healing have you witnessed? 
• Jesus retreated to the wilderness to work out priorities with God. Do you have a place of retreat?
• Imagine the excitement of the different characters in this story: the disciples, Peter’s mother-in-law, friends in the neighbourhood, those who were healed, and Jesus himself. If you were one of them, what questions would you have of Jesus?

PrayerDear Lord, help us to love you with undivided hearts, so that what we think and what we do might be one. Amen.