Mark 1:30

Very interesting is this little glimpse into the house of the Apostolic Fisherman. We see at once that household joys and cares are no hindrance to the full exercise of ministry.

Indeed, since they provide an opportunity for personally witnessing the Lord’s gracious work on one’s own family, they may even instruct the teacher better than any other earthly discipline.

Some, like certain Roman Catholics and other groups, may decry marriage, but true Christianity and household life agree well together. Peter’s house was probably a poor fisherman’s hut, but the Lord of Glory entered it, lodged in it, and performed a miracle in it. Should our little book be read this morning in some very humble cottage, let this fact encourage the residents to seek the company of King Jesus.

God is more often in little huts than in rich palaces. Jesus is looking around your room now and is waiting to be gracious to you. Sickness had entered Simon’s house; fever in a deadly form had laid low his mother-in-law. As soon as Jesus came, they told him of the sad affliction, and he hastened to the patient’s bed.

Have you any sickness in the house this morning? You will find Jesus by far the best physician; go to him at once and tell him all about the matter. Immediately lay the case before him. It concerns one of his people, and therefore will not be trivial to him.

Observe that the Savior immediately restored the sick woman; none can heal as he does. We may not be sure that the Lord will immediately remove all disease from those we love, but we may know that believing prayer for the sick is far more likely to be followed by restoration than anything else in the world. And where this is not effective, we must meekly bow to his will, by whom life and death are determined. The tender heart of Jesus waits to hear our griefs; let us pour them into his patient ear.