There is a beautiful moment recorded in the Bible when Jesus entered Peter's house…

…and saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. Perhaps it was malaria or some virus. She was weak. She could not heal herself. Then we read these beautiful words: "He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him."

I love this simple short record of a beautiful miracle of God's grace in the life of this woman. Dan Doriani, in his commentary on Matthew, calls this episode "a sweet little picture of discipleship." He says, "young or old, male or female – when Jesus touches and raises us, we rise and serve him."

I think he's right. She is not healed because she serves him. He initiates this healing miracle. He touches her and restores her. It's a picture of saving grace. But she is "touched" to serve him. And she does!

You are not saved because you serve Jesus. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8 – 9).

But what does the very next verse say? "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

I hope that's how it is in your life and my life. Peter's mother-in-law is a picture of every Christian. Touched, healed, saved, blessed by his grace. But there is a purpose behind it. To serve Him. She does. Right away.

Do we?

Let me encourage you today. Find your niche, your calling, your opportunity, regularly and faithfully to serve God inside the church and outside the church. Don’t simply be a spectator. Be a participant. Peter’s mother-in-law is a picture of all of us.

Musing’s from Pastor John, August 29, Click to Email Pastor John