The New Testament has a mystery: Peter’s mother-in-law. The mother of Simon Peter’s wife was very sick. Luke 4:38-44 describes what happened: “After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them.”
Any parent can understand what was making her sick. Her daughter had been married to a prosperous business owner. He had boats, employees, and fishing rights in The Sea of Galilee. She was “set for life”.
Then, Jesus. Simon Peter left his boats, his business, his family, his employees and followed Jesus.
His wife complained to her mother. “Mother, he’s never home. And, when he is, all he talks about is Jesus. Jesus driving demons out of people. Jesus curing the sick. Jesus making the blind to see. Jesus making the deaf to hear. Mother, I wanted children and a family. I wanted a secure place for us in the community. Now, there’s nothing but Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”
Her mother saw what was happening. Jesus was becoming famous. Others were following Him. Because Peter was following Jesus, his wife was left out in the cold. Her daughter was the love of her life. Now, because of Jesus, she had no future, no nothing.
“And, who will take care of me in my old age?” she wondered. “If Peter loses his business and his wife has to take in sewing or do washing, what will become of me?”
No wonder she was worried sick.
Jesus knew that Simon Peter’s mother-in-law was possessed by the same demons of earthly concern that always keep people from God. He drove those demons of artificial security from her and she began to joyfully serve The Second Person of The Holy Trinity. And, she was honored to be able to do so.
As should we.
