Mark 1:29-34 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:29-34 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.
Devotion
A little earlier in Mark's gospel (Mark 1:16-20), Jesus encountered Simon (later called Peter) and his brother Andrew. They were fishing, and Jesus instructed them how to make a big catch. In time, Jesus said, they would become fishers for people. And they did.
In today's text Jesus entered the brothers' house where he cured Simon's mother-in-law. Her return to health was only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. After Jesus had a meal he set about healing all sorts of people who were sick or possessed with demons. And then the whole city came seeking—and finding—health. These early miracles of healing were only the tip of yet another, much larger iceberg, so to speak. Jesus' ministry of healing began there in Simon's house and spread throughout time and history. We proclaim that Jesus is still healing those who come to him and believe in him. He meets and greets us throughout life's passages. And we are made whole.
Prayer
Father in heaven, for Jesus' sake, send your Holy Spirit upon your servants. Drive away all sickness of body and spirit and make us whole. Amen.