Mark 1:29-34
It was fitting that Jesus healed on the Sabbath. Contrary to the authoritarianism of the religious elite, the Sabbath was and is a day of rest. When God rested from all his work, he rested content with what he had created. The text in Genesis reads as if a broad smile broke across God’s face and with a deep, self-satisfied sigh said, “It is good.” When Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law he gave her rest from her suffering and relief from her illness. He reached down and showed her compassion and like his own body in the tomb to come, Jesus helped the woman to her feet. In a sense, Jesus raised her to life as he broke her fever – just as he would one day be raised in order that he might rest from all his work and suffering.
It is remarkable that Peter’s mother-in-law immediately began to serve them. After all, it was still the Sabbath and even the most ordinary labor was frowned upon at the time. But the Sabbath is a day for love and mercy as well as rest. It is the day for the compassionate and grateful heart. Each of these things are evident here, as the woman in her love served her Healer and his companions.
With the very public exorcism that Jesus had performed that day, news of his power spread rapidly. After sundown, the town’s people came to him and brought many of their sick and possessed peoplel. Clearly, the people feared the religious rulers and their Sabbath traditions, waiting until sunset before going to seek him. But despite even their lack of faith and superstitions, Jesus healed their sick freely in his love.
You must log in to post a comment.