Service

And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. Matthew 8:14-15

Every time I read this story, I smile. It reminds me so much of all the Vietnamese women we have visited; because the rule of that culture is, you must always give any visitor a drink as soon as possible; and if they stay for 15 minutes, you must feed them as well. Truly, it would have to be a major sickness that kept a woman like this from serving her visitors!

And it seems this was true for Peter’s mother-in-law too; for as soon as Jesus healed her, she went straight back to what she knew best, the work that made her happy—serving her guests. Serving Jesus, who had served her first by healing her. Jesus, who would go on to serve her and all of us by giving his life for us on the cross—and then rising from the dead three days later. Now everyone of us who trusts in him will live forever—because of God’s mercy and Jesus’ service.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for serving me by giving me life and forgiveness. Teach me to trust and serve you. Amen.

By Dr. Kari Vo