also. We never know Jesus aright till we love his presence, and delight in an unreserved compliance with his will.]
2. Endeavour to improve his presence for the good of your souls —
[He comes to us in the preaching of his Gospel : he has promised to be with us whenever we are assembled in his name. Shall we then either by our aversion or indifference say to him, ' Let us alone ? ' Let us rather say, ' Lord, expel this evil spirit from my heart ; take me under thy care ; and " fulfil in me all thy good pleasure." ' Thus shall the " prince of this world be cast out:" and we, his poor vassals, be "brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God."]
peter's wife's mother cured.
Luke iv. 38, 39. And he arose out of the synagogue, and en- tered into Simons house. And Simons wife's mother was taken with a great fever ; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever ; and it left her: and immediately she arose, and ministered unto them.
HOWEVER much we may be beloved of God, we are not to expect an exemption from those troubles which are the common lot of humanity. Peter was one of the peculiar favourites of our Lord, and privi- leged to have more intimate access to him than almost any of the Apostles. Yet we find severe affliction in his family. This affliction however tended in the issue (as all the trials of God's children will) to the glory of God and to his own personal benefit. This observation naturally arises from the account which we have just read respecting the miraculous recovery of his wife's mother through the interposition of our Lord. In discoursing upon it we may notice,
I. The service which Jesus rendered her —
She was seized with a very dangerous disorder —
[Peter, an utter stranger to the doctrine since established in the church of Rome respecting the celibacy of the clergy, was a married man, and an eminent pattern both of filial piety and conjugal affection. The aged mother of his wife was per- mitted to spend her declining years with him : but her near
1489.] peter's wife's mother cured. 315
connexion with this eminent servant of God could not preserve her from the common calamities of life ; nor could her son-in- law restore her by a miracle without an express commission from God himself3. The circumstance of her being detained from the ordinances of God must doubtless have been a great additional trial to her mind, especially at a season, when he, who " spake as never man spake," had come thither to instruct the people b. Peter however saw no necessity for staying from the synagogue when his mother was properly attended at home. He the rather went ; and availed himself of his access to Jesus to intercede for his afflicted relative.]
At the request of Peter and his friends, Jesus re- stored her to perfect health —
[Jesus paid the same attention to the intercessions of friends as he did to men's personal applications. It was the delight of his soul to relieve misery wherever he found it. Nor did he think his work finished, when he had exercised his ministry in the house of God. He would not cease from labour while the continuance of his labours could be of any essential service. He could indeed have healed her by a word without going to her in person ; but he delighted to visit the chambers of affliction. And behold ! with what condescension he acted towards her; " he took her by the hand and lifted her up ;" he, the Maker and Governor of the universe, administered unto her as if he had been her menial servant ! Yet with what autho- rity did he " rebuke" and dispel " the fever!" Who could act thus but God? Instantly did the disease vanish, and instantly did her former strength return; and universal joy succeeded to the tears of sympathy and compassion.]