On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her
We are called to put Jesus first in our lives, to love him more than even our families. Those who could not do so found it impossible to follow Jesus. He would not permit would-be disciples to return to say farewell or even to bury their dead relatives. But it was not the case that Jesus didn't care about families or that he was looking to create a group of followers isolated from normal human relationships. Rather, it was only as he began to take the first place in the heart of his followers that he was able to play the role in their families he desired to play. We can see from how he entered Simon's home and healed his mother-in-law an indication of how Jesus wants to enter into the home and family life of all his disciples and bring them healing.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.
The healing power of Jesus sets us free to serve him and help, in our own way, to bring about his Kingdom. The contribution of Simon's mother-in-law was not trivial, for Jesus would later say, "whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward" (see Matthew 10:42). Obviously there is nothing we can offer Jesus in proportion to the freedom and healing he has given us. And yet we are meant to want to do what we are able in thanksgiving for his gifts. Even though what we can offer him is very little we are meant to be so caught up in wonder at his power that we feel it a privilege to participate even in the small ways we can manage as we find ourselves with a new role in a larger story centered around Jesus himself.
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
If even Jesus took the time to pray, so too should we. Jesus, more than anyone, might have said, 'My work is my prayer', in particular since said work involved an ongoing communication with his Father for healing and exorcism. But Jesus himself took time away from the noise and busyness of the crowds in order to spend time alone with his Father. This seemed to reinforce his sense of mission and to help him follow the purpose for which his Father sent him into the world. When we hear something like, "Everyone is looking for you" many are tempted either to flee or feel obligated. It is hard to hear the will of the Father amidst such pressing expectations. Our time alone with God in prayer can help us to discern what next steps would be best. For us, this takes practice, as it did for Samuel.
When Samuel went to sleep in his place,
the LORD came and revealed his presence,
calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
We may not correctly identify the voice of the Lord the first or the second time. But if we are faithful and keep returning to the presence of the Lord we will more and more become sheep who know the voice of our shepherd. The more we know his voice and align our lives to what it commands the more we too will take on the prophetic power that voice contains, as did Samuel. The world needs more people who are directed by the voice of the Father and able to bring his healing power to bear in the world. May we listen and continue to listen for that voice.
Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him,
not permitting any word of his to be without effect.
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