Matt.8:15 – And He touched her hand
and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.
Jesus had just come into Peter’s house and,
when he did, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying down with a fever. Doctor Luke
in his description says she was ‘taken’ with a great fever, which in the
original language pictures one who was held down and constrained under the
power of a life-threatening fever. She was so debilitated by it that she was
completely out of commission but Jesus, as always, was immediately aware of her
condition. There are several different things occurring here that are worthy of
our attention and consideration.
He touched her. Touch implies connection,
closeness, and tenderness. Isn’t this what everyone needs? We all so
desperately need the touch of Jesus. He is always ready and ever reaching out
to touch humanity. There is no one outside the scope of His touch; there is no
one too sinful or too damaged. The touch of Jesus heals the sufferer; the touch
of Jesus cleanses away all sin; the touch of Jesus restores dignity and destiny.
He touched her.
He touched her hand. His hand made contact
with her hand. He didn’t grab her roughly and lift her up; he didn’t lay hands
on her fevered brow; no, he simply touched her hand. This seems to suggest a
calmness; a respect; a dignity with which Jesus ministered; he, himself, had dignity and
he preserved her dignity by not creating great fanfare. Her hand was what
brought her joy. It was her hand that gave her the ability to serve in a
practical way to others, and she had used her hands all of her life to bless
and nurture her family; she had found her niche in life by extending her hand
to those around her. He touched her hand.
The fever left her. It almost seems to
imply that the fever had personality; it knew that it must respond. The fever
was aware that a greater power had arrived and, just as when light enters the
room, darkness must flee. The touch of Jesus always causes the enemy to leave. The
touch of Jesus always triumphs over every work of the adversary. When the fever
left, health came flooding back in; the hindrance to health and strength was
dealt with. The fever left her.
She arose. She didn’t stay in bed. She
didn’t say, ‘I must rest and recuperate’. She didn’t even look for any
sympathy. She had no reason now to be in bed. ‘The fever that held me down is
gone so I will arise’. She arose by an act of her will. Moments before she was
under the power of the fever; completely incapacitated; without options; and
now she has a choice and she used her choice to arise and be a part of the
household and a contributor to her community. She arose.
She ministered unto them. What a beautiful
picture of a grateful lady. I’m sure that this desire to serve was not new to
her; she had always served. Like many of the women we know, she worked hard in
so many ways; cleaning, cooking, helping, serving, always putting others ahead
of herself. That is why it is significant that Jesus touched her hand. That was
part of her gifting and her place of joy and service; to use her hands. She did not use her restored
health for self-serving purposes. She didn’t go to the mall, so to speak. No!
She used her renewed strength to serve in menial ways to others. She put others
needs ahead of her own. She ministered unto them.
Peter’s mother-in-law was one of those who
ministered anonymously and silently; behind the scenes. She may remain nameless
to us, but there is no doubt that she was not nameless to those of her family
and those within her circle of friends. They knew her name and they knew her
reputation; they saw her self-less service and they benefited from her
ministering hands. Heaven also knows her name for no service ever goes unseen
by Jesus. He sees the servant’s heart. These are the ones whom the Lord Jesus
uses as vessels of His ministering heart. His heart reaches and touches
humanity through our hands; His ministering heart through our ministering hands; what a privilege; what a joy; what a life!
