Mark 1:29-39 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:29-39 on biblegateway.com
Verse 29As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Verse 30Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. Verse 31He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
Verse 32That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. Verse 33And the whole city was gathered around the door. Verse 34And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. Verse 35In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. Verse 36And Simon and his companions hunted for him. Verse 37When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." Verse 38He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." Verse 39And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Devotion
I used to try to be a thoughtful pastor by protecting people from service. “Oh, don’t ask her/him to serve on Council/in the Meals Ministry/as a teacher right now, because her father recently died/they are having trouble with their oldest son/he just lost his job.” But then I noticed that Jesus, before he issued the call to follow, didn’t make sure each disciple had his life together and running smoothly. If there was some impediment to service (a fever, for instance), Jesus provided the needed healing and strength!
Maybe the service isn’t a burden, but the place to meet Jesus and find healing, support and strength.
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for calling me to follow you. Thank you for the healing, the gifts of growth in wisdom, and the love and faith I have received through giving. Amen.