First Hope

First Hope

Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
Mark 1:29‭-‬31 NKJV

This story is a powerful testimony of Faith by the Disciples.
It also is a powerful Testament to the Compassion of Jesus.

Compassion literally means to suffer together.
Having concerns over others’ sufferings.

They enter the home of Simon and his mother in law was sick with a fever.

To have a fever in those days was a very serious problem. This is the ancient world. They had none of the modern medicine we are privileged to have.
Having a High fever like that means that our bodies are fighting off an infection of some kind.
This fever was not only draining and wearing down Simon’s mother in law,
but this was a symptom of a condition that would lead to death.

We don’t know anything about this fever, how high it was, how long she had it or what caused it .
We do know that she was unable to be up and about her work. Her calling had been taken from her by whatever illness she has.

There is something about humanity that we have in common.

People are desperate for healing.

There is one thing we all have in common, pain and suffering!

Jesus will take care of the needs for the individual.

Simon’s mother in law was in her home sick and Jesus met her exactly where she was at. He does it behind closed doors. No need for the crowds to see. No reason to try and build His reputation or promote Himself. It’s out of His love and compassion.

God is a God of order.
He first heals the spiritual part of man.
Then if it is His will, He heals the physical.

She was sick enough that there was concern for her life.

The Disples told Jesus about her.
We don’t know if He knew about this woman being sick.
The one thing we do know is that as soon as those around her were concerned about her, they went and told Jesus about her.
They knew where to go.

Is He your first Hope or your last resort?

Jesus already knows what their needs were. But he wants all of us, His redeemed people to ask Him to help in every aspect of our lives.

There is nothing far from His reach!

Why?

Why come to Him first?

It shows that we know Jesus is the right One to ask.

It shows that we trust Jesus in all things and for all things, no matter how big or small.

It shows that our Hope is in Jesus.

It shows that every aspect of our life belongs to Him. Sickness, health, rich, poor.
In our deepest sorrow to our greatest joy. In all and through all, our lives revolve around Him!

Simon’s mother didn’t ask Jesus to come to her, it was the others who did that.
He listened to the voices on behalf of this woman.
Jesus hears the requests of His faithful servants. The concern they must have had.

Sometimes we have to be the ones to bring people to the altar of the Lord.
We should be speaking about the life of the Gospels to them.

Never stop praying for each other. Never stop coming to the Ear of God on someone else’s behalf.

Everyone there in that house had faith that Jesus could and would heal her.

Jesus responds to their request and walks to her.

He stands over her. He touches her hand. He rebukes the fever.
He lifts her up.

She is healed by the Word and a touch.

Jesus stretched His hand and lifted her up. She was healed and she got up and served them.

He heals us to be a testimony of His Goodness. Not just physically but Spiritually.

The healings are not to just provide us good health.
Those healings are to show His power and authority over all things. And that all things are under Him.

He purifies us with His Word. He heals us with His Shed Blood. He gives strength to the weak bones and hope to the hurting heart!

Physical, emotional or Spiritual, there is no part that’s not redeemable!

We are made well and healed so that we can be a service to the Kingdom of God.
Service is to be a natural part of every believer’s life!

It was simple and there was power behind it. Jesus commanded the sickness with the same authority as when He rebuked the demon possessed man.

Even with the slightest touch not only was she healed but strengthened.

The sickness was keeping this lady from doing what she needed to do. It was customary for the women to greet visitors at the door. It was her honor to prepare and feed whomever came in. The sickness was taking away her purpose!

But then Jesus comes and gives her back her purpose.

He is bringing restoration to those oppressed And guves back there purpose, service to the One that Heals!

So we can bring even more hurt,sick and struggling to the Feet of Jehovah Rapha, The God that geals!

The coming of Jesus the Messiah was someone they had prayed for, He was more than they expected.

Lean and trust Him today!
Pray for one another, come to Him for every need.
But when you pray today trust Him that His will is done in you and through you,and to the ones we lift to Him!

Believe that He is the God of the impossible.

Make Him your first Hope!

Don’t test the Lord with your prayers.
Don’t give Him an ultimatum but humbly accept either His Healing or His Grace.
Either way we will be made well to serve Him well.

Jesus heal us so that we can be a service to the Kingdom of God!

Serve your King well today!

Pastor Ed