“So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them” (Luke 4:39).

“He… took her by the hand and called saying, ‘Little girl, arise.’ Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat” (Luke 8:54-55).

The first passage concerns Jesus’ healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. Jesus super-naturally healed her. “Immediately the fever left her.” (Mark 1:31). Then, she served them. She could do this. She did this. Perhaps, this was done out of gratitude. Likely, this was a return to normal household duties. Women do much work in the home. This should be recognized and appreciated.

The second passage concerns Jesus’ healing of Jairus’ twelve-year-old daughter, his only daughter (Luke 8:41-42). She had died (Luke 8:49). Jesus super-naturally healed her. “Immediately the girl arose and walked” (Mark 5:42). Then, Jesus commanded that she be given something to eat. Jesus did not do for them that which they could do for themselves. This was a return to normal household routines. Children should be fed, clothed, and given necessary provisions. Parents have responsibilities.

Application

Jesus loves us. He has done for us what we could not do for ourselves. “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5 cf. 1 Peter 2:14). “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).

However, we should not expect Him to do for us what we ourselves are capable of doing for ourselves (e.g. 2 Thessalonians 3:10). Let’s make sure that we are doing our part.