“And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.”

Luke 4:38-39

Jesus is the image of the invisible God – the exact representation of God’s character, God’s love, God’s power. We can confidently assign the acts of Jesus as the present-day acts of God. What Jesus did then, God still does now.

Here, we see sickness; and we see a miracle.

At the start of the scene, we see that the woman, Simon’s mother-in-law, is ill. Her fever has risen so high that she cannot recognize Jesus. Thus, though her Healer has entered the room, her illness prevents her from seeing him. She cannot petition for a prescription for herself.

But she is not alone. Her advocates have the ability to see who she can’t see – the Healer.

Thankfully, the disciples do not allow her illness to deny her healing – they beautifully appeal to Jesus on her behalf.

Jesus heals her. She rises and begins to serve them.

Why is this short story so significant?

There are seasons when we cannot pray for what we need. Our illness prevents us from seeing Jesus in our situation. Our tongues are tied by the lies we’ve believed; and our words won’t work. Our problem blinds us and barricades us from our solution.

But God, in His loving kindness, allows us to share a room with those who can see what we cannot –  those with eyes to see the Healer dwelling directly beside us. These friends who feel like family will appeal to Him for us; as we passively receive our freedom / our answer / our healing without ever having to pray a single prayer.

And yet, things change. Sometimes, we’re the ones standing in the room, appealing to God on behalf of the sick and lost and hurting beside us.

Today, who are you?