Peter-Fever Kept Her Down, But Jesus Help Her Up

By Mary Vee
Mark 1

From Peter's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Remains of the synagogue in Capernaum
The area has several rooms and is quite large.

My name is Peter. I am a disciple of Jesus.  I am here in Capernaum with several disciples. You may know some, they are James and John the sons of Zebedee, Matthew, Mark, Luke and others.

We went with Jesus to the synagogue. I told the story last time but here is a reminder, What a time! He spoke from the sacred Scriptures then forced a demon to leave a man. The whole thing caused quite a stir. As we left the synagogue, men who heard and saw Jesus that morning talked about what had happened as they walked away.  

I hadn't expected to see such a thing myself. I tell you, every minute I am with Jesus, I want to be with Him more. 

In my time, many men have risen to importance and have had a following. They inspire those who follow them to unite against the Romans to preserve our way of culture and way of life. But Jesus. He's different. What He says. What He does. His words and actions aren't about fighting the Romans. His message is more about us changing. I'm not really sure how to explain it yet. 

Photo by Mary Vee
The remains of one home in Capernaum possibly Peter's
Many branches of a family shared one big dwelling.
Rooms were walled off with their own exterior entrance.

Since my house was close by, we went there to get something to eat. 

When we arrived I saw my mother-in-law was in bed. She had a high fever and looked really ill. Her face was red from the burning heat. Her lips dry. She couldn't keep her eyes open and didn't speak. 

I gathered the disciples and Jesus away from her room and told them the news. "My mother-in-law is very ill. She has a terrible fever. I'm concerned she many not live."

"May I see her?"Jesus asked.

"Yes. Of course." I expected He would try to speak to her then console me. When someone older was this ill, there wasn't much that could be done. I showed him the way to her room. 

He walked into the room and said her name. I was surprised because I didn't remember telling Him her name. He walked to her bed and without saying a word gently reached for her hand. 

He spoke with such compassion. "Are you ready to get up?"

She smiled at him. Did you hear that? She could smile!

Happiness replaced the sickness in her eyes. She looked at him and said with a strength I didn't expect. "Yes."

Jesus helped her to sit. 

She didn't act sick any more. The red in her face had left. Her strength restored, and she could stand. She walked as though she had no illness. She looked into the front room and saw the others. "You must be hungry. I'll fix you something to eat."

Without a thought, a stumble, or a waver of her legs, she set to making a meal for all of us! 

Before she went to the food storage, she said to me, "Peter, you have been searching for the man who will save us for some time now. This man, Jesus, is the one you should listen to and follow."

Even though I was there, I'm not exactly sure what was communicated between them. But this I know, my mother-in-law was near death with fever and now she is well because of Jesus.

Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

Elisha: Naaman Thanks Elisha

By Mary Vee
II Kings 5

From Naaman's Journals

Photo Courtesy

My head poked through the muddy Jordan waters and I took a breath. 

The servants cheered. At first I didn't know why. I wiped the water dripping from my head into my eyes. The skin from my hands felt soft, like a little boy's skin. I quickly looked at my arms, my legs, my chest. I had been healed!

I hurried from the water and put on my robe. "We must go back to the prophet's house at once." A commander generally doesn't dance about, laughing and acting like a child, but how could I not? I had been healed from leprosy!

The chariots raced through the fields and city streets. "Hurry, I must get to the prophet and thank him right away."

My joy overwhelmed me so much I could barely speak. The horses stopped in front of Elisha, the prophet's house. I leaped to the ground and rushed to the door. "No need, to knock for me," I commanded my servant. "I want to do this myself."

The door opened, and this time Elisha stood at the door. His beard draped past his neck and he held a cane. I bowed to the man of God. "Sir, now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel." I took a deep breath, so grateful for what God had done for me. "Please, accept a gift, for I am your servant."

The prophet closed his eyes for a moment. He shook his head and said, "As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing."

"Please, I only wish to thank you for your kindness."

"I cannot. The Lord is the one deserving of your kindness, not me."

I didn't want to forget this moment, nor to let my gratefulness disappear. I looked at the ground and said, "If you will not accept my gifts, please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry. I will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the Lord."

He nodded his approval. 

Then I remembered something. An issue that could cause a problem. "May the Lord forgive me, your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to bow down and he is leaning on my arm causing me to bow with him, may the Lord forgive me for this. I am sincere, I will only worship the God who saved me from now on."

The prophet nodded again and said, "Go in peace."

I left with more than peace in my heart. I had joy. I couldn't wait to show my commander what God had done for me. My skin--my leprosy had been healed by God.


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1. Where was Naaman healed?
2. Where did he go right away?
3. What did Naaman offer Elisha?
4. Why did Elisha refuse it?
5. What concerned Naaman?
6. What did Elisha tell Naaman about the concern?
7. Did Naaman leave a gift?
8. Who healed Naaman?