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Mark 1:29-39

Jesus went to Peter's house for dinner one Sabbath after services. But when they got there Peter's mother-in-law was sick and in bed with a fever. So Jesus took her by the hand and the fever left her. And as soon as she was up she started serving them fried chicken and mashed potatoes of green beans.

Wait a minute. What is going on here? Here is a woman who has just been healed of some disease which had driven her to her bed. She had had some kind of infection and was probably having chills and Jesus had healed her with just his touch. What would I have done if that had happened to me? I would jump up and down and tell the world. But she served Sunday dinner!

Have you ever known someone who was a good host or hostess? Someone who lived to entertain guests and provide for their needs? Such a person derives pride and a sense of accomplishment from caring for others. Add to this that this unnamed woman was probably the Queen of her domain. It may be true that in that day a woman's place was in the home, but that made her in charge of the household. Peter's wife would have been the "woman of the house" but this was her mother. In the world of that day Peter may have been the king, but his mother in law was the Queen mother.

I imagine she took pride in entertaining the friends and associates of her son in law the successful business man. He did own a fishing business after all and salted fish from the Sea of Galilee was a delicacy in Rome. She took pride in being able to entertain and be an accomplished hostess. But she had a fever and was in bed unable to make her guests comfortable and take pride in their compliments at her cooking. That is until Jesus healed her.

You see Jesus did not just heal her body. Jesus restored her to her place in that family and society. Jesus put her back on her throne. And in joy she gladly served.

But there is more going on here than just one woman being healed. That evening at sundown they brought people to Jesus for healing. It was the Sabbath. According to the Pharisees one could not heal on the Sabbath unless someone's life was in danger. If Jesus had healed Peter's mother-in-law publicly there would be controversy. But the Sabbath ended at sundown.

So, at the first opportunity they had, people came to Jesus to be healed. People like Peter's mother-in-law who had been bedridden by illness were restored to health. People who were unable to walk or see or hear were made able again. People who were possessed by evil spirits were set free. Human beings were made whole and restored to their place in society.

But how did they know to come? It says that "they brought people." Who is "they?" And how did they know? Perhaps "they" had heard about Peter's mother-in-law, or about the demon Jesus had cast out in the Synagogue that morning. Somehow they knew Jesus could heal and so they brought those in need to him.

We have all been there. Like Peter's mother-in-law we have been lowered by an illness of the body or soul or mind. We have all been "shackled by a heavy burden 'neath a load of guilt and shame." We have all been kept from doing the things that bring us joy. We have all been like Peter's mother-in-law.

And then Jesus touched us. I know that I have been lifted up by Jesus touch. When things had gotten so low that I was about to lose hope, he reached down and took my hand. Then from his touch the fever of my troubles left me and I arose. Then I was able to return to my life and enjoy my place in my family and community and take joy in my labor.

Has Jesus ever lifted you up? Have you ever been laid low by some trouble? Has Jesus touched you and raised you up and restored you to health and family and community. Has he? Say "A-men!" Say "Alleluia!" Say "Praise the Lord!"

Peter's mother-in-law was lifted up and she served. What will you do? Peter's mother-in-law served as she best knew how and was able to. Jesus had lifted her up and restored her to her place as the Queen of Peter's house. And so as Queen she hosted a banquet for Jesus and the disciples.

What will you do? Mark gives us a hint at what we should do. "That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons." Do you know someone who is laid low by illness or sorrow? Do you know someone whose life has been possessed by some evil power of sin or addiction?

Bring them to Jesus. Don't wait. Do it at the first possible opportunity. Bring them to Jesus.

Think of what Jesus has done for you and what you have seen him do in the lives of others. How many people out there need that healing? How will they come to Jesus is no one brings them? Bring them to Jesus. He can touch them and lift them up and restore them to joy in life!

Sermons & Sermon - Lectionary Resources: lectionary based sermons and worship resources.

Lectionary Sermons of Rev. Alex Stevenson: Revised Common Lectionary based sermons from previous years written for the next three upcoming lectionary dates.