“Family
Attend, Meeting Immanuel's Love Yieldingly! (F.A.M.I.L.Y)”
Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher
SCRIPTURE:
"As soon as they left the
synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and
Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told
Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The
fever left her and she began to wait on them." (Mark 1:29-31, NIV)
Observations:
I asked myself what were
the results of Jesus’ actions?
There were five points I saw:
1. Jesus had just taught at the synagogue
previously and healed a man who was demon-possessed (Mark 1:21-28)
2. Jesus went with James and John to the home of Peter and Andrew
after they left the synagogue.
3. The disciples found out that Peter's
mother-in-law was sick with a fever and told Jesus about her.
4. Jesus goes to her, takes her by the hand and
helps her.
5. The fever left her and she waits upon them.
Observations/Interpretations:
I asked myself why is it significant that it
is mentioned 'Jesus went with James and John to the home of Peter
and Andrew' where 'Peter's mother-in-law' was sick with a fever?
It is significant
because brothers Peter and Andrew are living together even though
Peter is married which is evident by 'Peter's mother-in-law' was
sick with a fever. This also tells us that Peter's wife was living
there too. From the passage alone, we learn that the house was
inhabited by Peter, Peter's brother Andrew, Peter's wife, and
Peter's mother-in-law. It was an extended family living together.
Wow!
Implications:
I saw important
implications for my own life here. The emphasis on the importance of
family is so great and exciting to know. Jesus spent time in
the home of Peter, Peter's brother Andrew, Peter's wife, Peter's
mother-in-law who were all living under the same roof. When I was
growing up in India, I was so blessed to be living with my extended
family when we visited them for so many days: My
mommy's mommy,
my
mommy's daddy,
my
mommy's younger brother 1,
my
mommy's younger brother 2,
my
mommy's uncle,
my
mommy's daddy's mommy
&
daddy. It was
such a special time to be growing up with so many loved ones under
one roof. By the Lord's grace granted it was a mansion with many
rooms. It was a special time. Now, as I am married, it is such a
blessing when my precious wife
Chandraleela
and I go to India for vacation, that my
mother-in-law,
my brother-in-law,
my
brother-in-law's wife,
my
sister-in-law 1 and her kids,
my
sister-in-law 2,
my
sister-in-law 3
all come to live with us until we go back to the states. It is such
a blessing we don't even like to come back to the states. Our
daughters
Esther (6+)
and
Evangeline (4)
have such a good time with their cousins, uncles, and aunts, so do I
and my wife with her family. In states, it is such a blessing for
our kids when my mommy and brother stay with us. It can also be
challenging. By the Lord's grace, we are thankful for our privacy
though even when other family members are there. Family is very
important to my wife and me on both sides. This passage reminds me
of what happens in most Indian families. It can be a blessing for
the most part unless there is too much interference from other
family members. But there is more to it for me. What this passage
tells me is contradictory to what sadly happens in western culture.
Nursing homes become the #1 priority for a lot of families who don't
want their mommy or daddy to stay with them. That is very sad for
me. It is actually shocking unless of course only the nursing home
is adequate to give the care for a mother or father that their
children cannot give.
I ask you now dear friend, what place
do you give your family in life?
Dear friend, the place we give
our family in life will tell a lot not only about our character but
what place we give Jesus in our life. Jesus chided the pharisees for
ignoring their own father and mother.
"But
you say, ‘Even if your parents are in need, you may give their
support money to the church instead.’ And so, by your man-made rule,
you nullify the direct command of God to honor and care for your
parents." (Matthew 15:5, TLB)
"But anyone who won’t care for his own relatives when they
need help, especially those living in his own family, has no right
to say he is a Christian. Such a person is worse than the heathen."
(1 Timothy 5:8, TLB)
Raising our own family after marriage never
means abandoning our mommy and daddy, our siblings, etc. We have to
always be there to care for them. This does not always mean they
live with us if they are self-sufficient and can take care of
themselves. As followers of Christ, family should always be on our
mind. This is what I love about my wife because of the emphasis she
puts on family even if it is inconvenient many times for us. I was
also very touched by my mommy sharing with me how much her
daughter-in-law
Grace
took care of her when she had pneumonia in Maryland while my
brothers were working. I knew when my mommy came back here, how well
my precious wife would take care of her. Thank you Jesus.
You maybe wondering what about the mother,
father, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, etc that you cannot
get along with at all.
Then what?
This does not change our
responsibility to take care of our family. It can be challenging but
the Lord Jesus will be there to help us. Each family situation can
be different but it is so important to keep Jesus first and ask Him
to guide us and lead us what needs to be done instead of leaning on
to our own understanding.
You maybe wondering what about the Bible verse that says,
"For from the very first he made man and woman to be joined together
permanently in marriage; therefore a man is to leave his father and
mother, and
he and his wife are united so that they are no longer two, but one. And
no man may separate what God has joined together.” (Mark 10:7-9,
TLB_
This does not say anything about not caring for loved ones.
For me the emphasis here is that after marriage, the Lord Jesus
should be given first priority, wife second priority, over father
and mother too. So, when I have an important news to tell, I let my
wife know before calling or sharing with my mom., etc. Our
allegiance should be to our spouse after the Lord. However, honoring
and cherishing father and mother should never diminish just because
we are married. Sadly that happens a lot and it should not be. As
much as I miss
Pastor Hugo Cheng who served 17+ years in
Pittsburgh, I was touched by his decision move to pastor a church in
Maryland not only because that is what the Lord wanted him to do but
also because he can be close to his family whom he can visit easier
compared to living in pgh. That was very touching. Let us not ignore
our family but serve them in the ways of the Lord. May you know Lord
called you to take care of your family too as you love Him and be a
beacon of hope to your relatives too if they cannot take care of
themselves.
"Family Attend Meeting Immanuel's Love, Yieldingly!" (F.A.M.I.L.Y)/"What
place do you give F.A.M.I.L.Y in life?"
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you so much for
teaching us the importance of caring for our own family. Thank you
for what I learned from your disciple Peter. Thanks for visiting
their home. Help us Oh Lord to love our families dearly and take
care of them even as we give you first place, our spouse second
place, and so on. Knowing when we love you, we will love our spouse
deeper and our family deeper. Thank you Jesus. I pray for those who
want to take care of their family but have a difficult time because
of baggage from the past. I pray for your healing touch and help.
Thanks so much Jesus. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
Lord Jesus,
You are my all in
all. You are my Prince of Peace, Rock, Savior, and Friend. You are my
Holy Father guiding me through to live a life of righteousness, holy
righteousness. Oh God, I need you more than ever. I need to feel your
hands around me holding me tight. I need your love to surround me so
that you can glow in my life. Help me please Jesus. I desire in your
presence. Thank you for guiding me to live a life of righteousness. Oh
God you love me more than ever. You hear my voice when I cry out to you.
When I seek your face, you fill me up. You are my all in all. Thank you
Jesus so much for your help no matter what I face, your grace is
available and you take my case. Thank you for hearing us and answering
us. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! AMEN! (Most of the prayer is from a
vineyard song called “All in All”)
"May my spoken words and
unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my
Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)
No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in
and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with
the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend.
You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word
reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you
and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before
moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to
which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be
part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible
believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to
Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who
brings us hope, healing, and help!
May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His love now and
forever! Amen!
Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you
are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and
everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t
base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of
our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!
Feel free to email
me at
reddy4hisglory@gmail.com
if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with,
talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is
412-641-9426
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
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