After leaving the synagogue, Jesus went home with Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a high fever, and the family asked Jesus to help her. He bent over her and spoke harshly to the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and served them. When the sun was setting, everyone brought to Jesus relatives and acquaintances with all kinds of diseases. Placing his hands on each of them, he healed them. Demons also came out of many people. They screamed, “You are God’s Son.” But he spoke harshly to them and wouldn’t allow them to speak because they recognized that he was the Christ. When daybreak arrived, Jesus went to a deserted place. The crowds were looking for him. When they found him, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of God’s kingdom in other cities too, for this is why I was sent.” So he continued preaching in the Judean synagogues. (Luke 4:38-44, CEB)
I admit I have issue with the start of this text because Simon’s mother-in-law was sick, and Jesus healed the sickness and she got up and made them dinner. Why did she need to serve them?
Well, she didn’t but remember the time. She was restored to her place in the community. Serving them was what the community expected of her.
Healing was not about physical, mental, or spiritual well-being, it was about being restored to a place in the community. The lepers and the blind that sat outside the gate so others couldn’t catch what they had, when healed they were allowed back into the community.
How are we restoring community and making sure everyone is included?
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 