Matthew: Healing in His PresenceSample

Peter’s Mother-in-law is Healed

This story takes place in the town of Capernaum just after Jesus healed the Roman centurion's servant. Remember in that story, Jesus never physically saw the servant. He spoke the word, and the servant was healed.

After that healing, Jesus makes his way to Peter's house. When Jesus came into the home, He saw Peter's mother-in-law was sick in bed. This story, as short as it is, is featured in three of the four Gospels. Luke's account adds that she was sick with a high fever, which could have been deadly in those days.

Jesus went in, touched her hand, and the fever left her. Immediately, she got up and began to wait on Him. Okay, that last part made me laugh out loud. If Jesus heals you, you probably would want to make Him a big meal and celebrate. It doesn't say that last part, but it does say that she served Him.

Isn't that a great example of what to do when your healing comes? Serve others! Let them know what God did for you. It may not be instantaneous like Peter's mother-in-law, though we really don't know how long she was sick. However, she wasted no time serving Jesus!

Questions:

1. When Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law, she immediately begins to serve—what does that teach us about the connection between healing and gratitude in action?

2. Why do you think the Gospel writers considered this short story important enough to include in three different accounts?

3. How might God be calling you to “get up and serve” in response to the healing or help He’s already given you?