Read Matthew Chapter 8:14-15
Well, That Didn’t Last Long!
It says when Jesus came to Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law LYING sick…. ” The greek word for LYING is ” bableimai” which is a strong word for lying down. It means to be cast down or to be outstretched. It denotes one who is laid out in an unpleasant manner. In this case meaning one who is really sick. It’s not just a lying down to take a little nap. It means she’s out and not well. It says she has a fever so she possibly has malaria which can be deadly.
Vs 15 says “Jesus touched her hand and the fever left her.” Notice the authority of Jesus. No one has demonstrated such authority as this before. Someone laid out sick and he touched her. That’s it! He touched her. She was healed and it says, “SHE AROSE.” She went from her poor state or situation to an upright ready for action. She didn’t stay in bed with self pity. She took action. It says, “SHE WAITED on Jesus.”
The Greek word for WAITED ON is Diakoneho. It means to wait on as though one was a servant.
When Jesus intervenes in our lives from an unfortunate situation, how do we respond? Perhaps:
1. With praise and thanksgiving.
2. With great appreciation and love.
3. As an evangelist who has to tell others what Jesus did in our lives.
4. With a desire to be a servant for the Lord. You devote yourself to being a servant for Jesus and to others in the name of the Lord.
However you respond, how long does it last? A day? A lifetime? Until the next hardship? Until the next unanswered prayer?
Lord, thank you for what you have done in my life over and over and over again. Forgive me when I lose faith and turn my heart away from you. Help me to be strong as a servant when things are going well and when things are not going well. Give me strength when I am weak. I need you!
Amen!
