Mark 1:29-31: The Response

“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 immediately 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

Sick with House Guests
Imagine you are Simon’s (this is the apostle Peter) mother-in-law. Your son-in-law just showed up with at least 12 of his friends, but you are in bed sick. Maybe Peter should have asked if it was a good time to bring Jesus and his entourage to their house—seems a little unself-aware, but this is Peter we’re talking about. That’s kind of his thing. Luckily for the mother-in-law, Jesus heals her of her fever. We’re left wondering how she felt between having her son-in-law’s famous new boss burst into her bedroom and the actual healing. Whatever the case, she immediately gets up and begins to serve them.

Takeaway
So what can we learn from this story? First, Peter was married. That’s fascinating because most rabbis picked young, promising disciples, not disciples who had already finished their education, moved into the family business (fishing), and gotten married. Jesus chooses everyone, even unlikely people. Especially unlikely people. It also makes me feel good about my choice to be married and a pastor.

But most importantly, we need to look at her response. Her response to being healed was to immediately get up and serve Jesus. Many of us feel like we have been healed by Jesus is some sense: sins forgiven, peace given in hard times, physical healing, problems solved, community found. Our response should be the same. Walk away from our brokenness and serve Jesus. We are saved from something and saved For something.