“So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them” (Mark 1:31 HCSB).
After preaching in the Capernaum synagogue, Jesus went to Peter’s home, where his mother-in-law lay sick in bed with a fever. So Jesus went to her at once. He healed her and she began to serve them. Let us consider the details.
First, notice that Jesus “went to her.” When He heard that she was sick He went to her at once. Remember how Jesus said that the Son of Man would one day commend the righteous? He said, “I was sick and you visited Me” (Matt. 25:36). When they said they didn’t remember doing this for Jesus. He replied, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40). When we visit and care for the sick, Jesus said we are doing it for Him.
Next, Jesus “took her by the hand.” Jesus never hesitated to touch the sick. He recognized the power of touch. He could’ve healed from a distance, but went to her and took her hand. Today, we as believers are the body of Christ. We are His hands. And people are in the greatest need for human touch in recent history.
Finally, Jesus “helped her.” He healed her. There is healing power in the touch of Jesus. And there is power in touching people in His name. The Scripture says, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up” (James 5:14-15).
What was the result of Jesus raising up this woman to health? She “prepared a meal for them.” She didn’t return to the bed. She didn’t go about her business. No. She began to serve the brethren, the fellowship. She was raised from sickness to service.
PRAYER: Dear Father, You have saved us and made us the body of Christ and He is our Head. Strengthen our hands and feet to visit the sick and to pray for their healing. And when we are sick and You heal us, strengthen us to serve. For Your Son has called us to follow Him. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.