Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson
3. Peter’s Mother-in-law Healed (Matthew 8:14-17)
MATTHEW 8:14-17
14 When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and served him. 16 When evening came, they brought to him many possessed with demons. He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick; 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He took our infirmities, and bore our diseases.” (Isaiah 53:4-6; Mark 1:29-34; Luke 4:38-41)
After Matthew highlighted that Christ loves the lonely, the outcast, and the despised and does not reject the Gentiles who were considered impure, he shows us also how He had mercy on a weak woman with respect to conceited men. Peter, the boldest of the disciples, was married, and when he followed Jesus, he did not annul his marriage contract, for marriage is not a sin, but a grace of the Creator and a basic system in nature. Christ approved the marriage of His apostle.
Difficulty increased in Peter’s house when his wife’s mother fell sick. Satan attempted to hold the disciple back from service; but Jesus came to her without being called. He touched her fevered hand and cured her without any word being said. His power ran into her and the fever left her at once. Thus, Christ cares for the relatives of His followers and cures them without being asked to do that, and this is a result of His great mercy for them.
The recovery was complete, and she arose and ministered to them at once. They that recover from fevers by the power of nature are commonly weak and feeble and unfit for work for a great while after. To show therefore that this cure was above the power of nature, she was immediately so well as to go about the duties of the house.
The mercy was sanctified, and the mercies that are so are indeed perfect. Though she was thus dignified by a peculiar favor, yet she does not assume importance, but is ready to wait at table, if there be the need, like any servant. They must be humble whom Christ has honored. Being thus delivered, she studies what she will give in return. It is very fit, that they whom Christ has healed would minister unto Him, as His humble servants, all their days.
The people felt the power of Jesus, brought all their sick to Him and told their families, relatives and neighbors about the great Savior dwelling among them. And he healed them all! He rejected no one, even those of little and unripe faith. Yet, faith, however little it may be, is enough for Jesus to overcome the wicked aims and acts in and around us.
Matthew, the evangelist, mentioned particularly the arrival of many who were demon-possessed that Jesus might deliver them from the authority of evil spirits. Jesus is also the Lord over the spirits and they are without any doubt at all subject to His words. We are living now at the time of the sons of disobedience, and we need the power of Jesus’ word to cast the unclean spirits out of the mind and souls of our relatives and friends. We may bring them to Him through our persistent prayers, believing in His ability to deliver them.
Matthew found an interpretation to the saving act of Christ in the great prophecy of Isaiah 53, where we read about the Servant of the Lord who has borne our sicknesses and cleansed us from our sins. “Surely He has borne our grieves … But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5).
The mystery of the acts and miracles of Jesus is found in His love and preparedness to bear all our diseases and sins instead of us. Yet who thanks Him, honors Him and believes in Him faithfully?
PRAYER: Our Father in heaven, we are sick in our souls. We come to You confessing our weaknesses and unclean thoughts. Please forgive us for being guilty, cleanse us from our faults and do not allow the evil spirits to dwell in us. Answer also our prayers for our friends and relatives. Cast the spirits that are against Your Holy Spirit out of them and fill them with Your pure love. Consecrate us to glorify Your name and help us with our various problems. Help us in the name of Christ. Thank You for answering our prayers. Amen.
QUESTION:
- What does the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law imply?