He Has Your Back
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. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. Matthew 8:14-16
Jesus just finished his “Sermon on the Mount,” and the next three things that were discussed in scripture is Jesus healing a leper, healing a Centurion’s servant, and healing Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 5-8). It is obvious Jesus was making a statement, and confronting the religious mind-set when it came to touching and healing a leper and ministering to a Centurion and his household. But what was Jesus doing when He healed Peter’s mother-in-law? What statement was He making, what standard was he sending? She was not a gentile, an enemy, or an outcast, yet there was a reason this miracle was specifically recorded for all to know.
She was healed to convey that Jesus has your “back.” Peter was prepared to depart and follow Jesus as one of His disciples. But Peter had a family, and I imagine concern and worry intensified in him about how to care for his family while he was gone. Especially if he had a sick mother-in-law. This miracle Jesus performed was, in essence, a reassurance to Peter and all the others who follow Him, that He has their back.
Peter did not ask Jesus to help his mother-in-law. But Jesus knew the concerns Peter had; He knew the burden Peter was carrying regarding his family. Therefore, Jesus simply reassured Peter, not just with words, but with action. Jesus demonstrated He can take care of Peter’s family better than Peter can. Give me your burden and I will make it light (Matthew 11:28). Jesus was demonstrating to Peter (and to all that follow Him), that He sees all of your concerns, burdens, difficulties, circumstances, etc., and He will address them. Even if you do not ask.
So, as you start your day, remember Jesus has your back. He sees what you are facing, what burden you may have, what trials you are walking out. But through it all, Jesus will not forsake you or leave you, and He has your back!