What Peter Saw: His Compassion

February 07, 2023

What Peter Saw: His Compassion

There were 41 detailed accounts of healings in the gospel accounts. They cover a wide gamut of illness, demonic possession, and even death. In every case, Jesus showed incredible compassion to those suffering. We see those handicapped from birth receive their sight or their ability to walk. We see those who passed beyond death's door returned to their family, alive and well (Mk 5:42). We see humorous stories of men tearing up the roof to lower their lame friend down to Jesus (Lk 5:19). We see long distance healing (Lk 7:10). We even see the quick reaction of Jesus in restoring Malthus' ear after Peter sliced it off (Jn 18:10).

But of all the healings Peter saw, I would imagine that the most meaningful for him may have been when Jesus healed his mother-in-law. Luke records this healing as the first in a series of healings.

So he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he began to teach the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. Now in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! Leave us alone, Jesus the Nazarene! Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him: “Silence! Come out of him!” Then, after the demon threw the man down in their midst, he came out of him without hurting him. They were all amazed and began to say to one another, “What’s happening here? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” So the news about him spread into all areas of the region. After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he stood over her, commanded the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and began to serve them. As the sun was setting, all those who had any relatives sick with various diseases brought them to Jesus. He placed his hands on every one of them and healed them. Demons also came out of many, crying out, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them, and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. (Lk 4:31-41, NET)

It is common to ask, "Why did Jesus heal?" Obviously, everything he did was to glorify the Father, to express his divine nature, and to show the coming Kingdom. We often answer this question with theological answers, and all these are true. But we still might miss the point.

Health is foremost on the minds of those lacking it. It is our most immediate need. Jesus was the Lord of life. He was master over the wind and the waves, over the demonic realm, and over the physical well-being of people. In Luke's account, Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law, but he didn't stop there. As the crowd gathered, he healed "every one of them". And his healing ministry was not for the purpose of broadcasting His fame. It was for the purpose of helping people. If they were sick or in pain, He cared. And why did he heal? In my opinion Jesus was just being Jesus- doing what came naturally. Simply put, he healed because he loved to heal.

So, what would this mean to Peter. His mother-in-law's fever was not the worse illness in town. It says he healed various diseases and freed those possessed. I would think having a fever is not as bad as having a demon. In our day we would say to take two Tylenol, hydrate, and go to bed. And Jesus could have tried to reserve His healing for the serious ones. But he didn't. And I'm sure Peter appreciated that. This was very personal to Peter, the fact that Jesus took the time to help his wife's mother. To Peter this might be the most important miracle of the day. And to Peter it demonstrated Jesus' compassion. He cared about Peter, and He cared about Peter's family. Shortly after this Jesus issued a call to Peter, to follow Him…

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” So when they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. (Lk 5:10b-11, NET)

The fact that Jesus gave attention to the small things, like a fever, and took time to help Peter's family, must have meant a great deal to him. It helps explain why Peter was willing to leave his nets and follow Jesus.

Questions to consider: