“So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.”

Mark 1:31
Not long ago when reading Mark 1 in my morning devotional time, I was struck by something I thought would be especially meaningful to the men I’d later be teaching in my seminary class for prisoners. And it is, of course, good news for any of us—incarcerated or not.

Jesus went to the home of Andrew and Simon Peter where Peter’s mother-in-law lay deathly ill with a fever. When Jesus heard about her, what did He do? Did he say, “Bring her to me”? No, He went to her and healed her.

When she was in need, Jesus went to her. He didn’t insist that she come to Him.

Isn’t that like all of us, in desperate need of healing for our sins, but unable to fix it ourselves? You may think that your situation is hopeless if you are behind bars and cannot leave the premises. Peter’s mother-in-law couldn’t leave either. Jesus came to her; Jesus comes to you. No razor wire, fence, or wall can keep Him away.

When you are lost and without hope, when you are tempted to sin, when you are depressed and discouraged, when you are afraid, Jesus comes to you.



Scripture Focus

Mark 1:29-34

Insight

Jesus does not sit back and merely watch you in your need. The message of the gospel is that Jesus comes to you.

Bible In A Year

  • Exodus 35-36
  • Psalm 43
  • Luke 7

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