A Woman’s Encounter With Jesus

It is the holidays.  Your mother is visiting and becomes very ill.  Not too long ago your husband suddenly left his job giving no notice to you.  The job he had was steady and certainly provided food for the family, but now you don’t know where the next meal might come from.  He has been following this new teacher from the area.  Today of all days he brings the new friend home along with 11 of his buddies and a throng of other people who are sick, demon possessed and curious.

Matt 8:14-17

14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.

15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

KJV

Jesus entered the house not with a here I am the great and mighty one your husband has chosen to follow, but with a humble, discerning attitude.  He knew the needs of the family and certainly knew the need of Peter’s mother in law.  He healed Peter’s mother in law.  Not only that but he continued on healing all of those that came to him and set free those that were demon possessed and troubled.

Jesus reaches right to the very heart of the need.  He did not encounter the woman to be served, but that is exactly her response to him.