Getting over a cold or flu takes a few days. Still groggy, I ease off the couch as my energy returns. But not so for one who encountered Jesus in her time of illness:

Jesus left the meeting place and went to Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was running a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. He stood over her, told the fever to leave—and it left. Before they knew it, she was up getting dinner for them.

Simon Peter’s mother-in-law burned with fever. The worried family turned to the healer in their midst and asked for help. Jesus spoke to the fever and told it to leave—the Creator manipulating creation. Did the viruses causing her illness suddenly collapse? Or a surge of white blood cells charge into the valley of death?

Regardless, Jesus transformed this woman. She rose filled with energy and purpose, restored to full health thanks to his voice.

Which makes me wonder, who around me needs this type of comment from Jesus? Who suffers from a high fever brought on by the sins of the world, or the temptations of the flesh, or the desires of the self? Who’s burning up?

Pause for a moment and ask the Holy Spirit. I did and a person immediately popped to mind. I don’t know what type of healing lies in the future, but I do know that only Jesus cures a fever of the soul. Pray for his transforming voice in the life of someone you know today.

Luke 4 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by James