Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. (Mark 1:30-31 NRSV Bible)
Jesus was visiting in the home of Simon Peter. Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. Without anyone saying a word about her illness Jesus went over to her, touched her, and lifted her up. Immediately she was healed. Notice that Jesus never said a word; he just touched her. We are not told how long she was sick in bed, or her condition. All we are told is that Jesus touched her and made her well. It was a miracle. Notice what happened next. Immediately she got up and began serving Jesus and his disciples. Having been sick in bed she must have been weak, but when Jesus touched her she felt a strength she had never felt before. She got up out of bed and began serving him. This was her way of saying thanks. But it began with the Master's touch. She was touched by God's love through Jesus Christ. Our happiness also begins for us when we are touched by the Master's hand.

I remember a PEANUTS cartoon years ago in which Lucy asks Charlie Brown if he has ever known anybody who was really happy. Before she can finish her sentence, however, Snoopy comes dancing on tip-toe into the picture, his nose high in the air. He dances and bounces his way across two frames of the cartoon strip. Finally, in the last frame, Lucy finishes her sentence: "Have you ever known anybody who was really happy and was still in their right mind?"

There certainly are times when people may wonder if we, as God's people, are in our right mind. There is a lot of pressure against the church and our faith, but when we experience Christ's love and presence in our lives. The world seems to change, and we live with a greater sense of happiness.

Loving God, may I live with a great sense of happiness when I realize the many ways I have been touched my the Master's hand. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

Help Promote Devotions.Net
| Home | Bible | Devotions | Humor | Visitors |