Capernaum: Part 2

Luke 4:38-39

“38 After leaving the synagogue he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. 39 Then he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them.”

We don’t normally think of the disciples having a life outside the tight circle of the twelve and Jesus.  But, according to the early church fathers, Clement of Alexandria and Eusebius, Simon Peter was married most of his adult life, including the full period of his apostleship.  Clement and Eusebius wrote that Peter’s wife travelled with him and died a martyr’s death around the same time as Peter.

In this scripture we read about Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, who apparently lived with Peter and his wife in a house in Capernaum.  She was suffering a high fever, and according to the Greek, the fever was life threatening.

Jesus, entering Peter’s home, was asked to look at her.  Jesus rebuked the fever and Peter’s mother-in-law was healed. Not only was she healed, but she was given enough strength and the desire to begin to serve Jesus and those who had come with him to Peter’s home.

When we are touched by Christ and we begin to experience God’s healing of our spirit, a great desire begins to stir in us to serve him;  a desire that burns in us for the rest of our lives.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)