Photo by Eradio Valverde, Jr.; site of the ruins of Peter's home
Hear the devotional here: http://bit.ly/2MEoiBR
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. (Mark 1:29-39 NIV)
Happy Monday Con Cafe Family! And may this day prove to be your best day ever, Friend! We pray you all had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed time with our God in worship and may it provide blessings for you this week! Please continue to pray for those battling Covid, those who are receiving their vaccines, and those who are tending to the ill and afflicted. On a note of personal privilege, today Nellie and I rejoice for on this day, some years ago, God blessed us with our firstborn, Nellie Maria Valverde de Garcia. We thank God for this wonderful daughter and her husband, Jorge, and three awesome children, Caleb Eradio, Eliana Beth, Adabelle Grace! Happy Birthday, Nellie!
The above photo was taken by me at the actual site believed to be the actual home of Simon Peter, where this miraculous healing took place. Many men say this was a miracle because of the stereotypical attitudes towards mothers-in-law. I cannot say that because my mother-in-law was truly like a mom to me from when I first met her and started dating her daughter, until her dying day. But as happened many times in the Holy Land, this actual site was deemed worthy of having a church built on top of it while preserving the archaeological site as well. The grey beams and concrete structures are the foundation of this church. The stones under it are what are left of the home from the first century.
The story as told above contains Mark's first recorded healings, and it is on a family member of one, if not His chief, disciple. Given our current pandemic, we all know the severity of a fever or fever reading. Most of us have had multiple fever readings upon entering clinics or other establishments that administer them. A high fever reading may mean your entry to said establishment will be denied. A fever in those days was considered very serious, believing many that a fever could indicate a deadly disease, much like it does now. Jesus, from this account, goes to her bed, takes her hand, and lifts her up from the bed, and the fever is gone. So strong was the healing that she began to serve the disciples food and drink. Somehow, the word got out that Peter's MIL was healed, and the town brought "all the sick and demon-possessed." All the town gathered at the door and Jesus healed "many who had various diseases." Please note that not all were healed; this is important because we all know many who have prayed and did not receive the healing they wanted; the reasons are not known to us now, but still we trust God.
The evil spirits among those afflicted were driven out and were instructed not to speak, because "they knew Who He was." This is to show the level of complete defeat Jesus had over them; they were silenced. The next morning, Jesus leaves the home alone and sought a place where He could connect with God. Please never forget that Jesus had two holy habits; one was prayer, and the other was worship. This fueled Him and strengthened Him, much like they do to us who practice both. The disciples once they were awake, discover He is not with them, and set out to find Him. When they do, they begin with the usual, "Everyone is looking for You!" Jesus responds with what they did not expect Him to do; he said they should go to another place, to the villages where He was not yet known, and His word was not yet heard; Jesus explaining this was the reason for His time on earth. And the passage ends with Jesus going throughout Galilee preaching and driving out demons.
There exists even today, a great need for the love and message of Jesus' love to be known among all of us. His message is still the only thing that will transform and mend hearts. The other part of Jesus' work was to drive out evil; those who oppose God and God's work face a losing situation; God will win out and God's goodness and peace will prevail in the world. It is our job to help facilitate that message and work.
PRAYER: Father, as You search our hearts, help us drive out hatred and evil from our thoughts, words, and actions and feelings. Make us people of purity and peace. Fill our hearts with love for You and for Yours. Fill our mind with thoughts of goodness and kindness, and use our hands to help and heal. This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! May we speak life to all we meet today!
Receive our blessings of peace and love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
