So He went to her,
took her hand
and helped her up.
Mark 1:31a
s Scripture is read, don’t you often desire to see more of the picture . . . know more of the story? This is one of those instances. Take the time to read the full text, but here’s a little more:
And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her. And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them. Mark 1:29-31
So Simon was married. I wonder what Simon’s mother-in-law was like. Was Simon’s wife so distraught about her mother? Had she been pleading with her husband to bring Jesus to their house? How long had the woman been sick? Did the men try to hurry Jesus along to the house – is this why it is said “immediately“? Did they not pause along the roadside to talk to others? But what interests me most, is as soon as Jesus heals the woman, “she waited on them“. She did not say she had to “recover” or needed more time to rest. She did not give an excuse of being too tired or that she almost died, but “she waited on them“.
What was her life like before she was sick? Was she a Godly woman? Did she love Jesus? What I find interesting in not knowing this, there were “no strings attached.” It is not recorded that Jesus made a deal with her. We don’t know if she had been praying as she was ill, making promises to serve Jesus, yet, there is nothing indicating such was done. Was she like the woman at the well, and Jesus healing healed her spiritually as well, as she believed in Him?
Often as Christians, we stay in our Christian circles, only associating with those that are Believers. We indeed need that Christian fellowship, encouragement, and accountability, but if we do not purposely reach out, take someones hand and have them follow us into our homes, into our churches, out for lunch or coffee, how will we lead them to Jesus? It might mean going into a place of town we might not normally go, sitting in the “smoking section” of a restaurant to listen to a friend nervously share their story or buying that smelly person that is counting out his pop can change, a hamburger or exchanging your new leather gloves for his holey ones.
Earlier in this chapter, Jesus says, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (verse 17) If we are to follow Him, who do we need to go to, to give our hand to, and help up?
Be blessed.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts
) I really enjoyed reading your post!
Really good post sweetie.
I found your page through Beloved Mama’s Tuesdays in Other Words. I am so glad that I did. I’ve read through your blog and am in awe of the life that you have lead and the joy that you display for your heavenly father. You are amazing and your son Matthew has impacted me as a mother and I will pray for you often. He’s a beautiful child. I also found your bracelets and was wondering if I could order one. I have three children and have had one miscarriage and I want to include all of my babies on a bracelet. My miscarriage was so early on that we didn’t name the baby as we didn’t know the sex yet. So a set of feet for him/her would be perfect. Is there a possibility of having my children’s first initial and a set of feet on a bracelet. It would mean so much to me to have that. Your work is beautiful and I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. I often have to remind members of my own family when they tell me what sort of people I, as a Christian, should associate that if we only associate with those who already know Christ, how can we lead people to Him?? It makes no sense to stick together in a tight circle in this manner if we are to lead people to the Lord.