This morning, we continue our series, “The Miracles of Jesus.”
Before we get into the miracle, let’s look at the foundational scripture I will share with you all year.
(Psalm 126:4 TPT)
Now, Lord, do it again! Restore us to our former glory! May streams of your refreshing flow over us until our dry hearts are drenched again.
This is a season of refreshing and restoring for us. I pray you get refreshed and restored as we study each miracle.
(Matthew 8:14 ERV)
Jesus went to Peter’s house. He saw that Peter’s mother-in-law was in bed with a high fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she stood up and began to serve him.
So what does this mean for you today? A few things:
Setting the stage.
Today we look at the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. This account is barely mentioned from the pulpit and seems to be overshadowed by the many of the great works Jesus performed while on earth. But it is noteworthy nonetheless.
After Jesus spoke a Word of healing over the Roman Centurion’s servant, He traveled with the disciples to Peter’s house. When the team arrived, Jesus saw Peter’s wife’s mother lying in bed with a fever. The first thing I will point out (not related to this miracle, but worth pointing out) is that Peter had a wife. Peter would later found and lead the New Testament church, and he had a wife. I point that out because some believe that being married and having a family is a distraction to ministry. I would beg to differ. Actually, I believe your first ministry is to your family, and just as long as your priorities are in place, you can, without question, do both.
When Jesus saw that Peter’s mother-in-law was in bed with a high fever, He went over to her to do something about it. He touched her hand, and the fever left her body just like that. Jesus did not say anything. He did not pray any elaborate prayer. He just touched her; the fever left, then she stood up and began to serve her guests.
Here are some things we can glean from this:
1. Jesus cares about our physical needs.
Some people are so “spiritual” that they are no earthly good. Our spiritual relationship with God should lead to practical manifestations of purpose on this planet.
When Peter’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever, Jesus didn’t ignore her because it wasn’t a spiritual issue or a life-threatening disease. Jesus went to her and healed her. This shows us that Jesus is concerned not only with our spiritual well-being but also our physical health. Even something as small as a fever.
2. Nothing is insignificant to God.
I know many people think they are bothering God if they bring something to Him that is not major or life-threatening. But God loves you so much that nothing is insignificant to Him where you are concerned.
I’m glad this account (of Jesus healing a fever) is in the Bible because many believers only think of healing when it comes to terminal illnesses like cancer. But God is as interested in removing a headache or fever as He is in healing cancer. Anything that is keeping you from walking in His best is a hindrance, and the power of God can be manifested to deal with it.
— Our God is just as interested in removing a cold or fever as any other hindrance. So, it’s okay to pray about anything that is keeping you from God’s best. There is nothing too big and nothing too small for God.
— Never think your “issue” is too small or insignificant to bring before the Lord in prayer. If it keeps you from God’s best, it is an issue God cares about because He cares about you!
3. God wants you to make the most of the time He gave you on this planet.
God’s desire is that we maximize our potential during the short time we get to live on the earth. Anything keeping us from doing so is against God’s will. When Jesus saw Peter’s mother-in-law with a fever, He did not overlook or dismiss it. Jesus immediately dealt with it. Not because Peter asked. Not because Peter’s mother-in-law begged for prayer. Jesus was motivated by the compassion of His character. Jesus walked over and touched her hand, and the fever left.
— She could not come to Him, so He came to her. Jesus met her in her hour and place of need. Why? So she could go back to doing what she was accustomed to doing.
— Jesus did not want anything hindering Peter’s mother-in-law; the same can be said for you!
4. Sometimes, God provides immediate healing.
There are times when we have to wait on the timing of God to manifest. But there are also times when God responds to our needs immediately. As soon as Jesus saw Peter’s mother-in-law sick, He went over and did something about it. He did so without anyone praying and without hesitation. This is a reminder that God can manifest His love and power in our lives at any time. Sometimes we have to wait and endure, but other times God’s manifestation is immediate. In either case, we should give Him praise and learn to trust His timing!
5. You are on this planet to DO whatever you were born to DO!
When Jesus touched Peter’s mother-in-law, the fever left her body as quickly as Jesus’ hand left her skin. She was now restored to health and was fully capable of operating in God’s’ best for her life. So what did she do? Did she get up and run to church? No. Did she go to her prayer room and have a worship service? No. Did she fall down and cry tears of joy over Jesus’ feet? No. She got up and waited on her guests. She went back to doing what she would have been doing had the fever not attached to her body. She went back to her purpose. She went back to her assignment. Once she was capable of “doing,” she went back to “doing.” We can all learn from this woman.
6. God wants you to maximize your purpose and potential while you are in the land of the living.
— You are on this planet to fulfill the plans God made for you before the world began. Anything that keeps you from walking in God’s will is a hindrance that the power of God can remove.
— You were not saved to sit; you were saved to serve. God saved you and filled you with His Spirit, so you could fulfill your divine purpose. Salvation is not your destination; it is simply your starting point. Giving your life to Jesus is not the end. It is the beginning of a journey that will take you to your divine destiny.
— God wants us healed, healthy, blessed, and prosperous, so we can serve Him by making the impact we were born to make. Whatever our assignment, whatever our “lot in life,” God wants us busy doing it, and He does not want anything to keep us from it!
— Like Peter’s mother-in-law, you are called to DO all God has blessed you to DO. Don’t sit down on your abilities. After Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law, she immediately began to serve them. As soon as the hindrance was gone, she went right back to DOING what she was called to do. That’s how it should be with us.
God does not want anything to keep you from DOING what you are called to do. When He removes the hindrance, you should go right back to DOING what you would have been doing if the hindrance were not there. You are not saved to sit. You are saved to serve!
If you have the willingness, God will give you the power and strength to make the most of the days you have on earth.
Closing questions:
— Are you doing ALL you are called and capable of doing?
— Are you making the most of your time on this planet?
If not, it is time to make some changes.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, this is a season of refreshing and restoring for me!
I expect to see Your power manifested in my life like never before.
I admit there have been times when I sat down on my gifts. But those days are over. You saved me to serve, not to sit.
I am committed to making the most of the time You have given me on this planet. I am so committed that I bring every hindrance to You.
Nothing is too big, and nothing is too small. Whatever is keeping me from my purpose is something I believe I can overcome by Your power.
I walk with You, and You walk with me. You deliver me from the hand of the enemy and deliver me from every hindrance that keeps me from walking in Your best.
Living this way, I shall maximize my purpose and potential while in the land of the living. And I will bring glory to Your name!
Living with this mindset, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
