The Pilgrim Path---The Gospel of Mark--1:29-34 

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

---Peter's mother-in-law was sick. They did the logical thing: they went to Jesus. That's what we typically do as well. We pray and ask his help. If we don't get better very soon---we seek medical means. There is nothing wrong with using appropriate medical expertise. Please remember, Luke the Disciple--- was a medical doctor. Many of the old Puritans talk about the significance of the "physic" in the lives of their people (of medicines ---and medical endeavor of various kinds). We pray that God will "use" medical means...

---The Great Physician, The Lord Jesus Christ, "took this precious woman by the hand,"---and the fever, "left her."

---Have you noticed,The Lord does not "heal' every one of his people. He told Paul in II Corinthians 12: 7 --10, that he had "another way" for him. Paul would bear with a thorn in the flesh--and the all-encompassing grace-of-God---would be made "real"---in his life. One of the godliest men in my second church (Jerry E.) had prostate cancer first. After a time, he called me and said, "I've got some spots on my liver--my pancreas may be involved as well." I loved that fellow. About my height, maybe 235 lbs---had been a fullback in college. Went with me door-to-door / would witness to anyone. I said, "Well, when you have spots on your liver---that's the Lord saying you had better take care of matters." He did...he dropped to about 85 lbs---then went to glory... Jesus was enough...

---Sickness came because of the curse of sin---it's a result of The Fall...Thomas Boston said: "God lifted man up; Man threw himself down."

---General Benefits of sickness---From Bishop J. C. Ryle: remind man of death; hopefully make man think seriously of death; hopefully soften man's heart; level and humble us; try men's religion---will your religion actually bear inspection of such a severe trial?

---"Die before you die. There is no chance after." C. S. Lewis----Die to your way---your path---your self-righteousness---and say, "Jesus, Son of God---I believe YOU are my righteousness by faith...I give you my life. I believe your blood makes the foulest clean...I trust you...my life is yours----completely..."

---"Lord, do your work through me today---I yield all I am to You." Missionary Hudson Taylor

Grace & Peace in Jesus Our Lord, Pastor Jason