Staying a Night at Peter’s Home

Luke 4:38-44

Apparently Jesus called Peter sometime during the period between Luke 4:14 and Luke 4:33. In studying history, it is often necessary to follow one string of events at a time. Luke is focused on the various healings and events proving that Jesus is the messiah at this point. As a result he brings up the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, before he explains how Peter became an apostle.

Several groups have held that Peter was not married and don’t allow their clergy to marry. While a number of Simons are mentioned in the New Testament, Matthew 8:14 makes it very clear that this is Simon Peter, or Peter. “And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.” Paul makes it equally clear in I Corinthians 9:5 when he names Cephas, better known by his Greek name of Peter, as being married. “Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?” He states that they have that right. I Timothy 4:1-3 names forbidding marriage as one of the teachings typical of those who have turned from the faith.

“And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.” (Luke 4:38-39)

One of the things we are impressed with is Jesus’ humility and love for the people. He went into the most humble homes, and touched even those everyone else avoided. He was available all the time. In a day when many pastors do not want to live close to the church so they’re not bothered all the time, it gives a different perspective on the pastor’s job. Not only did he heal Peter’s mother in law, but he touched and healed many others who came even after the sun had set, long after hours, and he is our example.

“Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.” (Luke 4:40-41)

When Dad first came to Kirtland, over ninety percent of the people were members of the Mormon church. There was a serious push to get my folks to join as well. After Dad talked to some of them, they began to come back to learn more and a few got saved. It wasn’t long before we were told that the Mormon church had forbidden their members to talk to Dad because he would lead them away from the Mormon doctrine. It was funny, because that is when those who were unsatisfied with Mormon doctrine began to ask more questions.

I think something similar occurred with those who were demon possessed. Even a demon possessed person still has the capability of controlling himself and making decisions if he chooses. They were dissatisfied with what the demons provided, and looking for something better. Like an alcoholic, they still retain the ability to refuse to take a drink, but only exercise the power occasionally. Their desire for change brought them to Jesus, where the demons tried to turn them away with accusations that he would destroy them.

Jesus forbid the demons to advertise for him, because they knew who he was, but accepting their recommendation would imply association. Paul, Peter, John, and Jude warn of the danger of associating with those who teach false doctrine, because it allows them to appear as part of us and deceive people with impunity. He did not allow himself to be distracted by the greater following he might attain. He also did not allow the physical needs of the people, or their desires to distract him from his main purpose, of turning people to God.

“And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.” (Luke 4:42-44)

Helping hurricane or earthquake victims, providing medical treatment, or building house are all good and necessary things, but we must not allow them to distract us from our primary purpose of leading people to Christ. The story of the rich man and Lazarus demonstrates that it is better to be go to heaven than to be rich. It really doesn’t matter if a person was rich or poor if he goes to hell.