PETER’S MOTHER-IN-LAW.

PETER’S MOTHER-IN-LAW.

Reading: Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:30-31; Luke 4:38-39.

“Now when Jesus had come into Peter's house, He saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them” Matthew 8:14-15.

Jesus was at Peter’s house in Capernaum. One Sabbath Peter’s wife’s mother developed a high fever. When Peter, Jesus, and those with them returned to Peter’s house, Jesus discovered the illness. Each of the Gospels includes different details, but they all agree that as soon as she was healed, Peter’s mother-in-law got up and served them.

The story, along with 1 Corinthians 9:5 “Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?”

This has been used to point out that Peter was indeed married. It has also been used, along with ruins in Capernaum that have been identified as Peter’s house, to indicate that Peter was not just a fisherman but was also a businessman who operated a successful fishing business. However, the common features in each account have a different emphasis.

These common features are the following:

1. Jesus healed her.

2. She served them.

The response of Peter’s wife’s mother to her healing by Jesus acts as an example to each of us. When Jesus comes into our lives, cleansing and healing us from sin, it is fitting to thank and praise Him. The most appropriate response of all is to serve Him.

CONCLUSION:

I do hope we have learnt something in looking at the life of Peter’s mother in law.