Morning, September 2
Go To Evening Reading
“But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.”
Mark 1:30
Very interesting is this little peep into the house of the Apostolic
Fisherman. We see at once that household joys and cares are no hindrance
to the full exercise of ministry, nay, that since they furnish an
opportunity for personally witnessing the Lord’s gracious work upon one’s own flesh and blood, they may even instruct the teacher better than
any other earthly discipline. Papists and other sectaries may decry
marriage, but true Christianity and household life agree well together.
Peter’s house was probably a poor fisherman’s hut, but the Lord of Glory entered it, lodged in it, and wrought
a miracle in it. Should our little book be read this morning in some
very humble cottage, let this fact encourage the inmates to seek the
company of King Jesus. God is oftener in little huts than in rich
palaces. Jesus is looking round your room now, and is waiting to be
gracious to you. Into Simon’s house sickness had entered, fever in a deadly form had prostrated
his mother-in-law, and as soon as Jesus came they told him of the
sad affliction, and he hastened to the patient’s bed. Have you any sickness in the house this morning? You will find
Jesus by far the best physician, go to him at once and tell him all
about the matter. Immediately lay the case before him. It concerns
one of his people, and therefore will not be trivial to him. Observe,
that at once the Saviour restored the sick woman; none can heal as
he does. We may not make sure that the Lord will at once remove all
disease from those we love, but we may know that believing prayer
for the sick is far more likely to be followed by restoration than
anything else in the world; and where this avails not, we must meekly
bow to his will by whom life and death are determined. The tender
heart of Jesus waits to hear our griefs, let us pour them into his
patient ear.