"And She Waited On Them"
Aren't women amazing? Scientists tell us women are more capable
of enduring physical and mental strain than men, but didn't we already know
that? It takes a remarkable set of circumstances to "keep a good woman down."
The fever afflicting Simon Peter's mother-in-law in Mark 1:29-31 obviously was
in that category. It was not only enough to keep her home from Sabbath services
in the synagogue, but also enough to confine her to her bed (a good lesson for
all of us with "headaches" on Sunday morning).
The text tells us that Jesus healed her of her malady. But the lesson I would
like to draw is not one relating to the power of the Lord, but rather the power
of service. As soon as she was healed, the text tells us, "she waited on them".
Obviously she was healed sufficiently to work around the house, but no "healing"
appears to have been necessary in her work ethic. She jumped at the first
opportunity to care for her family, friends, and Lord.
If we get in the habit of waiting for the excuses for non-action to be removed
before we act in God's service, we soon will find we need no excuses at all. How
refreshing it is to see good sisters in Christ, often beset with infirmities,
exerting themselves as much as possible to care for those even more afflicted
than themselves. What an encouragement they are to us - and what an example as
well. Many of us "big strong men" look spiritually scrawny next to some of these
ladies. Remember this unnamed woman's example, and the admonition of our Lord -
"We must work the works of Him who sent Me, as long as it is day; night is
coming, when no man can work." (John 9:4)
By Hal Hammons
From Expository Files 7.10; October 2000
