Healing Ruth's Mother

“Simon! Simon!” Andrew ran up to their boat, breathless. “We’ve found him! We have found the Messiah!”

Simon looked at his big brother doubtfully. “I’ve never heard an introduction like that before. Come into the shade. You’ve been in the sun too long. Help me prepare this net.”

“No, no. Put that stuff down. Come on. You have to meet Him.” Andrew took the nets out of Simon’s hand and started dragging him away from the boat. “John, you know, the crazy guy who preaches by the river? He said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.’ I heard him. Then there was this man…”
“Look, Andrew. You can go meet this latest messiah, but there is work to be done. Someone has to do it, and it looks like me. I want to go home before midnight. Ruth hasn’t cooked supper in days. She’s been taking care of her mother. I’m hungry. Leave me alone.”

“But Simon, only Messiah can take away sins, right? I mean, God and His Messiah? Don’t you know what that means?”

“Yes, Andrew,” said Simon. “It means that this guy is a revolutionary. The Romans will hate him and he’ll stir up trouble like all the others before him. Eventually they’ll catch him and crucify him for treason. And unless you want to be on the cross next to him…”

“He’s for real, Simon. It won’t hurt to meet Him.”

“Fine. This once, I’ll go.” Simon realized his work would never be done with Andrew pestering him. The oldest brother had always known how to get his way. He shoved the nets aside and stomped angrily down the coast. He was a bit curious. Andrew wasn’t the impulsive one. Usually, Andrew would sit down and think things through. Who was this person who had so affected his brother?

After a long walk, Andrew suddenly stopped. Jesus looked at Simon and said, “You are Simon, the son of Jonah. You shall be called Peter.” Then He smiled a knowing smile at Simon’s confusion. “It has begun,” He thought.

This wasn’t right. Where was the fiery sermon? Where was the rally? How could a guy like this, who didn’t say, “Hi. I’m Jesus. I’ve heard a lot about you,” ever dream of defeating Roman regiments?

Over the next week, Peter and Andrew went back to fishing. But they couldn’t stop talking about Him. James and John, the thundering sons of the patriarch fisherman, Zebedee, listened to Peter and Andrew bounce suggestions around. What if Jesus was for real? What if He wasn’t? The sons of Zebedee gave each other looks and shrugged their shoulders.

After the synagogue meeting on Saturday, Peter was home with his wife. Her mother was doing worse, with a high fever. “Simon, you should ask Him. I heard he cast out an unclean spirit. Maybe he can help her. You talk about Him so much.” Ruth pleaded with Peter to go find Jesus immediately.

“It’s Sabbath. He can’t work on the Sabbath.” Peter looked to his mother-in-law. For all his married life ,she had been like his own mother, living with them and cooking for them. Perhaps he should go now, before it was too late?

A knock sounded on the door. “It’s probably Leah. She was going to bring over some soup.” Peter got up and opened the door, hoping his wife’s chatty friend wouldn’t stay long.

“Peter,” Jesus nodded, and walked in. Ruth came out of the side room to see whose was the unfamiliar voice. The look on her husband’s face told her who it was. “I knew He’d come,” she said to Peter. “Let’s ask.”

He nodded his head an looked at Jesus, who stood just inside the door smiling. “Jesus, you are welcome here. My mother-in-law, though, she’s sick. Could you help her – if it’s not a problem?” Ruth already stood beside the door into her mother’s room. Jesus stood over her, rebuked the fever, and smiled. Color filled the old woman’s cheeks. She got up, reaching behind Peter for a basin. She returned passed her stunned daughter to offer the water for the Guest’s feet. Then, while Peter and Ruth worked through their bewilderment, she brought out bread for the Sabbath meal.

“Ruth, sit down. We all know how much you’ve done the past few days I’ve been ill. Have some bread,” ordered her mother. Ruth wept. Peter still stood stiffly in the corner, his eyes searching for some clue from Jesus. Just like that! Jesus spoke – without even touching her – and she was well. Just like that! A prophet like Elijah of old was spending Sabbath in his house.