Anna is known as the willing servant. What a glorious character trait to be known by. Anna is the Mother-in-Law of Simon Peter.
She has become sick. She's bedridden. We don't happen to know her illness, but Jesus does. He knows the moment she began feeling bad. He too knows the moment He will be asked to come into her room and bring healing to her. Friends, nothing escapes our Savior's knowledge.
She has a fever. This is what touches my heart. Jesus comes to her. They didn't have a thermometer to gauge just how high her fever was. But Jesus knew the seriousness of her illness.
When my children were sick I would touch my cheek to theirs. I would place my hand upon them and pray over them. There were nights sleep never came. This is the love a mother has for her children. It's tender and passionate. A mother prays for healing. She places a cold cloth upon their head, gets them into the tub if necessary. There were quite a few occasions we visited the emergency room. Prayer flowed from my lips.
What did they do when Anna became sick? They called for the Healer. The Great Physician. It wasn't anything Anna did. It was all the Savior. But let us not forget those who called upon the Savior in faith. Jesus goes to her and takes her hand. Can you see His gentle touch? Are you able to see the compassion in His eyes? He goes to His Father on her behalf and there right before the eyes of everyone He raises her up by the hand. It didn't take her a few days to get over the sickness. She wasn't weak from this illness. She was healed in that instant. Just a little while later she was serving the quests. I can see her as she joyfully served her Savior first. (Matthew 8:14-18 and Luke 4:38-41)
See, Anna wasn't so highly valued in the Jewish society. Do you think that mattered any to Jesus? She mattered to Him. It doesn't matter what side of town we live in, what job we have, or who our parents are, Jesus cares for us as if we were His only child. Jesus valued her. That's all that matters. He doesn't show partiality. The benefits of Christ's love are for all who believe in Him.
"As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew's house with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them." Mark 1:29-31
Here I can just see the passionate love of Jesus coming to one who needed Him. He knew the need. What I love is the fact that He didn't even have to enter the house. He already knew the need. He could have healed her right where He was, but He chose to go near her, to be close, and to touch her hand. What a beautiful sight it is to see someone touch the hand of another. Friends, this is love. This is our Savior.
"He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes---with the princes of His people. He grants the barren woman's home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!" Psalm 113:7-9
