Why we do what we do
Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. — Mark 1:30-31
We can be overly thankful. Saying a single “thank you” isn’t enough when someone truly helps us out.
I imagine Simon’s mother-in-law is overly thankful her fever is immediately relieved. While we never read that she thanks Jesus (or how she thanks Jesus), we do know she doesn’t settle back down in bed to rest more. Instead, she gets right back to work. Her work is important not only to her. Her work is important to us, too.
She is literally touched by the Son of God. In response, she isn’t idle. She does what Jesus Himself does. She takes care of others.
Maybe Simon’s mother-in-law has always been a go-getter. The text never says this, but I somehow sense she is a mover and a shaker, a get-it-done person. Being off her game with a short or longstanding fever must have driven her crazy.
Of course, she thanks Jesus. But she thanks Him with more than words. She thanks Him with her action. Having restored her, she isn’t going to sit around. In appreciation for what He did for her immediately she immediately goes into action. In response to her healing, she helps others.
With or without a fever, we have all been down. Unlike Simon’s mother-in-law, our healing is usually not immediate, but Jesus does heal, restore or comfort us in so many ways. Our response to Him isn’t idle. His care for us infuses us to care for others.
PRAYER: We never have to wonder why we do what we do, dear Jesus. Your care and love for us equips and empowers us to do what we do, which is care and love others. Help us realize our greatest thanks to You is not to wait for others, but to wait on others. Energize us again and again so that we can bring hope and healing to others. Amen.
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