“Miracle and message”
Mark 1:29-39 (February 4, 2024)
These last couple of weeks we’ve been hearing stories from the Gospel of Mark about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry: First he called some disciples by the sea. Then he entered the synagogue at Capernaum, teaching with authority and casting out an unclean spirit.
In today’s passage, Jesus leaves the synagogue and enters the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law is also there. She’s in bed with a fever, which could indicate a serious infection. The family was worried enough that they brought it to Jesus’ attention.
What follows is a story of healing which, I would like to propose, is a model for our healing.
✠
But before we get to that, let me say that, with Jesus, miracle and message go together. They are not two separate things. We may be prone to split them apart. We think about verbal witness, with a focus on the spoken word. And then we think about acts of loving service, caring for our neighbours. And if we’re not careful, we can fall into one camp or the other, prioritizing either evangelism or social action. As if they can be separated!
In Jesus’ life, they are not. Jesus proclaims the Good News that the Kingdom, or Reign, of God has come near. And he acts in ways that demonstrate that Reign. He casts out unclean spirits. He heals the sick. And these actions are major features of his Gospel proclamation.
Some people follow Jesus because they are drawn to miracles. But they’re not so keen on his call to repentance and discipleship. “Just give me the gift certificate, Pastor, and hold the sermon please!” But what if the gift certificate is the sermon? In every healing story there is a message of Good News. Healings are enacted messages. They are demonstrations of God’s Reign.
✠
So here we have Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, sick in bed with a fever. The disciples tell Jesus about it, and right away he goes to her.
“He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.” There is so much in this one simple sentence! Each of these actions tells us something about who Jesus is, and the healing he brings to our lives.
The disciples shared their concern with Jesus. And, without any further hesitation, he responded. “He came.”
That speaks volumes to me! Jesus cares about us. Here is one single person, somebody’s mother-in-law he’s never met before. We may think it’s not worth mentioning these matters to God. Why would God care about me? And the answer is: simply because God made you and loves you, and will always love you!
“Jesus came to her.” The whole Gospel message is about God loving the world that God has made, and coming to our rescue. Coming to bring healing and hope and new life. In Jesus, God comes to us!
✠
And now, look how he comes. He “took her by the hand.” What a powerfully human, physical thing for Jesus to do!
I was with someone not long ago. And at the end of our visit I asked if we could prayer, and they agreed. Instinctively, both of us reached out and grabbed each other’s hand. It was the most natural thing in the world. But when I think about what that represents, it’s astounding.
It is, most importantly, a way of connecting. A way for us to be together, in solidarity with each other, as we bow before God in prayer.
Holding hands is always about relationship. Whether it’s shaking hands with a person you never met before. Or grasping the hand of a little child. Or holding the hand of a person who’s frail to steady them. Or sitting next to the one you love, giving their hand a gentle squeeze.
Hand-holding can be full of support, tenderness, comfort, or strength. Even romance. Holding hands with someone overcomes the distance of isolation. It creates connection with another human being.
“Lend me a hand,” we say whenever we need a bit of help. And that’s what Jesus was there to do. He takes her hand and helps her up. She will no longer languish in that place, burning with fever, unable to participate in activities and be with the family she loves.
“Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.” How many of us have prayed for Jesus to take our hand?
✠
“He took her by the hand and lifted her up.” The language here is striking. It’s not just “lifted her,” it’s “raised her.”
It’s the same word given at the end of Mark’s gospel when three women go to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. But his body isn’t there. Instead they find a young man, dressed in white, who tells them, “he has been raised.” (Mk. 16:6)
Simon’s mother-in-law is being raised. Just as Jesus himself will be raised by the power of God. What we have here is a foretaste of resurrection.
The powers that take life away from us, that diminish us, that hold us down, that make us unhealthy and unwell – these powers are challenged when the reign of God comes near. Jesus, the light of the world, walks into the room and darkness recedes.
✠
Now let me pause here and say that as long as we remain in this earthly life, sickness will be part of what we experience. Just because Simon’s mother-in-law was healed doesn’t mean we have a free ticket to health, wealth and prosperity. Jesus himself was not exempt from suffering. And neither are we.
But Jesus embodies the Reign of God. Which means darkness – and ultimately even death itself – will not triumph, not in the end. And even now we have the comfort of his presence. He is always with us. We are not alone.
We pray to him for healing. And we know that he will give it. Though maybe not in the time or way that we might wish. Whatever happens, we hold on to the Easter truth that the power of life and love will triumph over sin and death.
Even now, we are invited to allow God’s grace to heal us. To be renewed and rejuvenated and restored. To be lifted up whenever we are down. To be part of God’s kingdom even as we live in this world.
In baptism every believer dies to what is old and rises to what is new. We anticipate God’s new world. We receive new life by the power of God’s Holy Spirit.
✠
And what does this new life look like? Well let me show you!
“He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.”
Restored to life in her community, Simon’s mother-in-law began to serve. Once again, the word is significant: “diakoneō.” Does that have a familiar ring? It’s the same word we use for Deacons – people set apart for specific forms of service within the church.
It’s the same word Jesus used to describe his life and ministry, “The Son of man came not to be served, but to serve,” he said. (Mark 10:45) A leader among you must be as one who serves. (Luke 22:26)
A few verses earlier, Mark has told us that angels “waited” on Jesus in the wilderness. They ministered to him in his hour of need. They served him. Again, it’s the same word.
So now Simon’s mother-in-law will rise from her bed of sickness. But it’s not like she’s going to sit around and do nothing. No, she’s been raised for a purpose. And that purpose is to participate in God’s ministry to the world.
Like all of Jesus’ followers we’ve been healed for a reason. We’ve been called to serve.
✠
Our service can take many forms. The apostle Paul writes: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services [there it is, that word again], but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them for everyone.” (1 Cor. 12:4-6)
Service and ministry take many different forms. For Simon’s mother-in-law it seems to mean preparing food and offering hospitality to visitors. What does this look like in your life?
What have you been saved for? Does your service find expression here in the church? Singing, welcoming, organizing, repairing?
Does your service find expression in your home – caring for others, praying for them, holding their hand sometimes, giving encouragement, simply cooking a meal?
Does your service mean working for God’s peace and justice in the world? Making God’s kingdom real, living for God’s reign? Bearing witness to what Jesus has done for us in both word and deed? They do go together, you know! These are not two separate things.
Miracle and message belong together. Sharing good news pushes back the darkness of our world. Healing others bears witness that the kingdom of God has come near.
✠
“He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.”
Look what happens when Jesus comes into our lives! It’s not just Simon’s mother-in-law, you see. This is us: He comes to us. He takes our hand. He lifts us up. He heals us and calls us to serve.
See what God has done? And this is what God is doing in your life too! May it be so. Amen.