Christ's Ministry in the Home

Christ’s Ministry in the Home

Prepared on April 13, 1945 By W.H. Wood

Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.  Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.  But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.  So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them. Mark 1:27-31

Wherever Jesus went and amongst whomsoever; He took with Him a heart sensitive to the appeal of human need, suffering and sin. He took with Him a hand open to give, stretched out to help and deliver.

The disciples soon reap the reward of their obedience and self-sacrifice.  How readily had they responded to the master’s call, “follow me”!  How readily had they left their boats and fishing nets, their daily occupations and their gains!  Christ often calls upon us for some self-denial and sacrifice; but He never does other than reward a hundredfold, even in this time, those who obey.

Peter learns a lesson of his master’s power and willingness to save.  We know enough of Simon to understand that his nature was very receptive of impression, very responsive to sympathy.  What a lesson for him was this – which the Savior vouchsafed to reach him so early in his discipleship of the compassion and grace of his Lord.  We know that of all the twelve, Peter was, in the course of the Lord’s ministry, the first to confess his Divine dignity and Messiahship.

Christ proves His sympathy with home suffering, and blesses home life.  Let us, like Simon, welcome Christ into our houses and homes.  His ministry was indeed chiefly fulfilled in public; yet in the homes of Simon, of Levi, and of Lazarus, He proved His interest in the domestic life of His friends.  He entered into family feeling, and consecrated family life.  It was sometimes said to Him, “He whom thou lovest is sick.”  It was an appeal to which He was never indifferent. Christ is ever mindful of our family cares, anxieties, sorrows, and joys.  Let Him “abide with us” and He will lighten our dwellings when they are clouded with trouble and grief.  When, like Simon’s household, we “tell Him” of the needs and sorrows of those we love, His help is always near. 

Christ exercises His Divine power to banish disease.  Let us, like this household, tell the Savior of those members of the family who have special need of Him.  He does not stand at a distance and utter words that expels the evil spirits.  Quite the reverse, He takes the sufferer by the hand and raises her up.  I hope we understand that it is not the religion of Christ; it is Christ Himself who saves.  And He ever saves by stretching forth the hand of help, and raising, and elevating, the suppliant and penitent from the prostration and helplessness of sin.  As the fever left this suffering woman, so all spiritual malady is banished at the bidding of a mighty, gracious Savior. 

Affectionate gratitude prompts to personal service and ministration.  If our Lord made this house His home in Capernaum, Peter’s mother-in-law must have had many opportunities of showing her thankfulness and love.  Like many other devoted women, she took pleasure in showing how highly she honored and how gratefully she loved her Lord.  It is a law of moral life that those who are aided, healed, and pardoned, shall love Him to whom they owe so much; and shall show their love by grateful ministrations.  Let us, who are healed and pardoned by Christ’s grace, take every opportunity of showing our gratitude, by engaging in His service; and by ministering to His people.  Let us minster to Him and place all confidence in His power and willingness to save and bless His people.