Day 28. Serving Christ
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"Now Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. So He went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them." Mark 1:30-31
That is just what Jesus is doing all the time to His people who are distressed and unable to rise. He does not stand far off, when He would help them — but He comes to them with a brother's warm heart and ready hand. That is the way we should learn to help each other — by extending a strong, uplifting hand to those who are down. Many fall and need someone who would come in Christ's name and help them up.
The example of this woman must not be overlooked. Christ had given her back her life, and what should she now do with it, but consecrate it to the service of Him who restored it to her? This she did, not in mere words of thankfulness, not in warm and tender emotions of praise only — but in service; she arose and ministered to her Healer and His friends. Her ministry, too, was of the most practical and helpful kind. She did not sigh and wait for some opportunity to do a great service for Jesus; she simply took up the service that came first to her hand, and set about rendering the commonplace attentions of a housewifely entertainer.
There is a whole cluster of suggestions here. Every sick Christian who is restored, whether in an ordinary or extraordinary way — should hasten to consecrate his life to the service of God. Surely it was spared for a purpose — and we shall be disloyal to God if we do not thus devote it.
A great many people are always sighing for opportunities to minister to Christ, imagining some fine and splendid service which they would like to render. Meantime, they let slip past their hands — the very things in which Christ wants them to serve Him! True ministry to Christ is doing first of all, and well — one's daily duties!
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