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“Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever… Jesus stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them” (Luke 4:39-40).
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One of the worst parts about being sick is the sense of loneliness or isolation that sets in. This is particularly true when we’re desperately ill, say with cancer.
Despite the care of family, friends, and nurses, our world becomes increasingly small – confined to our room, our bed, and even our thoughts.
No one can walk a mile in our shoes.
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We get this sense of isolation from Peter’s mother-in-law, who is deathly ill.
Fortunately, Jesus meets her in a way that no one else can – he takes her by the hand, heals her, and raises her up.
The same word used to describe her healing will later be used to describe Christ’s own resurrection.
Both were “raised up.”
What the Gospel’s implying, then, is that Jesus not only brings her physical healing; he also brings her a new perspective on life as she moves from isolation back into the community.
Grateful for his goodness, Peter’s mother-in-law gets up and serves Jesus. We can presume she remained in his service for years to come.
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In a similar way, when has Jesus come to my aid?
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Perhaps he answered a prayer, opened a new door, brought me healing, or inner peace.
Our response to the Lord should always be gratitude. With grateful hearts, how can we be of service to others today?