“Jesus left the synagogue and went to Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a high fever, and they spoke to Jesus about her”. Luke 4:38
Apparently, fever those days was of two types: low and high. One imagines that Low Fever was not worrisome. But High Fever was.
One tangential aspect that should not miss our eyes in the above verse, is that Simon’s mother-in-law was staying in Simon’s house; he was looking after her. I don’t know how many of us care enough to look after our elders. Not just ours, but our spouse’s as well . Simon Peter sets a good example worthy of emulating. Not only when the elders are well, but even when they are unwell; especially when they have High Fever! Yes, Simon Peter was a dutiful son-in-law.
I wonder if this pricks some folks in their heart, and prompts them to change their ways!
But more importantly, those accompanying the party from the synagogue – which no doubt was led by Simon Peter himself – spoke to Jesus about her. The word “spoke” is rendered differently in different versions: “requested, appealed, besought, asked” and so on. The point is, they brought the matter to Jesus’s notice.
Not that He didn’t know of course. Read Psalm 139:4 : “For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.”
Thank goodness, the intent of Peter in speaking to Jesus was that mother-in-law should get well; not that she should soon pass away, leaving his wife and him alone without a burden to bear.
What is our attitude towards elders in the family?
Couldn’t wait for them to disappear from the face of the earth; One less mouth to feed, less medical expenses, no more annoying voices in the background?
To Peter’s credit, his outlook and inner thoughts were all positive. They were congruent. He wasn’t one to harbour some thing in his heart and utter the opposite through his mouth. He was whole, and he dearly wished his mother-in-law to get well.
And needless to say, Peter had faith. He had just seen a miracle performed by Jesus in the synagogue. He was also witness to the taunts of Jews concerning the paucity of miracles in their region compared to Capernaum. He said to them, “You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country. Luke 4:23
Surely Peter was also encouraged by the fact that Capernaum came out better in Jesus’s pronouncement than Nazareth!. With all these thoughts swirling in his mind, Peter thought it best to tell Jesus that there was a problem at home.
Whom are you approaching in times of trouble? Peter knew Psalm 118:8 “ It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man”. It is instructive also to look at another miracle that proceeded from Jesus wherein the woman in question “had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse” Mark 5:26-27. This person did not even need to speak to Jesus; she only touched His outer garment but inside her heart she was full of faith.
Do you have faith that Jesus can make a difference in your life? That He can bestow on you a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair”? Isaiah 61:3
The case of the woman with the unceasing flow of blood may be an exception, but the rule is “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” Matthew 7:7
How do you communicate with Jesus? Do you pray? Do you share your concerns with Him – on a day to day, hour to hour basis? Do you cast your burdens upon the Lord, knowing that He will never leave you nor forsake you?
You know what happened when Elijah prayed, right? James 5:17
You have read James’s advice concerning people who are unwell right? James 5:14
Feel free to talk to Jesus. He is your friend.