Morning, September 2, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her.” — Mark 1:30

Very interesting is this little peek into the house of the Apostolic Fisherman. We see at once that household joys and cares are no hindrance to the full practice of ministry; indeed, they furnish an opportunity for personally witnessing the Lord’s gracious work upon one’s own flesh and blood; they may even instruct the minister better than any other earthly discipline. Catholics and other sects may oppose ministers’ marriage, but true Christianity and household life agree well together. Peter’s house was probably a poor fisherman’s hut, but the Lord of Glory entered it, lodged in it, and performed a miracle in it. Should our little book be read this morning in some very humble cottage, let this fact encourage the occupants to seek the company of King Jesus. God is more often found in little huts than in rich palaces. Jesus is looking around your room now, and is waiting to be gracious to you. Into Simon’s house sickness had entered, fever in a deadly form had overwhelmed his mother-in-law, and as soon as Jesus came they told him of the miserable affliction, and he hurried to the patient’s bed. Have you any sickness in the house this morning? You will find Jesus by far the best physician; go to him at once and tell him all about the matter. Immediately lay the case before him. It concerns one of his people, and therefore will not be trivial to him. Observe, that at once the Savior restored the sick woman; none can heal as he does. We may not be assured that the Lord will immediately remove all disease from those we love, but we may know that believing prayer for the sick is far more likely to be followed by restoration than anything else in the world, and where this does not benefit, we must meekly bow to his will, by whom life and death are determined. The tender heart of Jesus waits to hear our grief, let us pour it into his patient ear.