THE SABBATH DAY HEALINGS OF JESUS OF NAZARETH (Continued)

HEALING OF PETER’S WIFE’S MOTHER

Scripture Reading:

Matthew 8:14-15

^{14　And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15　And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them}

^{Mark 1:29-31}

^{29　And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30　But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. 31　And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.}

^{Luke 4:38-39}

^{38　And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. 39　And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.}

      Upon leaving the synagogue after Jesus cast the unclean spirit out of a man, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. The scene is that of a woman in close relation to Jesus’ disciple, Simon whose name means hearing. Her relation is that of "in law." Naturally, that may be an endearing position but spiritually there is a problem. She pictures the Church bound to the Law or "letter" and she has a fever which is a symptom of illness.

     A fever is a natural defense to help the body fight against infection but spiritually we do not wrestle with flesh and blood. Therefore, we have before us a picture of a body working but to no benefit to others and its energy is not being used for Kingdom purposes. When a fever is present, the body is responding to foreign invaders such as bacteria or viruses because of exposure. The following verses will clarify what these foreign invaders look like from a spiritual perspective:

Jude 3,4 　Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 　For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Continued