“When Jesus came into Peter’s home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him. When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: ‘He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases’” Matthew 8:14-17.

Healings, for Jesus, were costly, as we see in Mark 5:30 - “Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth.” It is accurate to say that He was literally drained in the aftermath of miracles.

Mark’s gospel tells us that Jesus had gone to His hometown synagogue that Sabbath day, and had cast out a demon from a man while there (Mark 1:21-26). Being drained from this miracle, He likely was looking for a place to rest, which he sought at Peter’s house. But there He found Peter’s mother-in-law sick with a fever, and He performed yet another miracle in healing her.

We see something of this woman’s character in that it says, “she got up and waited on Him.” One writer states, “She clearly regarded herself as ‘saved to serve.’ He had healed her; and her one desire was to use her new-found health to be of use and of service to Him and others.”

The example of Jesus and this woman speak to us of service. It cost Jesus to heal others, and the healed woman chose service in response to the touch of Jesus. As His disciples, it costs us to serve, and yet we do so in gratitude for what He has done for us. We too are “saved to serve.”

What has the touch of Jesus done for you? Perhaps you have literally been healed of some sickness or injury, but you definitely have been healed of your sin sickness, and its associated guilt. The miracle of inner peace and joy serve as springboard for service to Christ and others. The greater our gratitude, the more joyous and abundant our service.

“Saved to serve” seems like a great guiding phrase for this day, as well as for our lifestyle. Raised up from our sickness, we are liberated and healed for a joyous life of service. In so doing, we will likely find our weariness refreshed, and our weakness strengthened.

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