When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

Jesus spent most of his ministry years in Capernaum. Peter and Andrew had moved their families to this thriving fishing village, as well. And as we see here, Jesus did not knock or ask permission to enter, but he entered in a fashion indicating this was normal. So it is highly likely that Peter’s house was a home away from home for Jesus, when he was in Caperneum.

Thinking about Peter’s mom, she was in a culture where the woman of the house was typically the hostess and provided for the care of its inhabitants: the meals, the laundry, the mending of wounds, etc. She would have been like a dear aunt to Jesus. She probably helped care for him, cooked him yummy food, and made her house a warm, peaceful home for him to rest at. This was extra duty, as Jesus was not technically her son. But she probably treated him, in some ways, like he was.

We see here the compassion of God for this woman. She is sick and he prompts Jesus to heal her. Speaking of making meals, ““My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭34‬) And so he was acting on God’s will by knowing his heart. God wanted to heal this woman likely for a few reasons: 1) in compassion to relieve her suffering, 2) to show his power to a world caught in sin, so they would follow Jesus, and 3) he still had important work for her to do — taking care of her sons, Jesus, and the others her hospitality extended to.

Our culture in America over the last 40 to 50 years has, in large part, belittled the wife/mom/homemaker role. Women have been looked down upon for not having a job outside the home. But these are such important roles. Raising our children and providing a safe place for them is one of the highest priorities we have. Keeping up the home, being a mother not just to your kids, but to others too — this is close to the heart of God.

Having been in a fairly unique situation as a kid, I had a mom for 13 years, and then she died and went to heaven in a battle with cancer. For the past 39 years, I have had a mom living outside of this world (in heaven). I saw the incredible impact she had as a wife/mom/homemaker. This impact extended beyond her family to people that she decided to take in or minister to at our home. I experienced the gap that was left when she was not there.

For all of the wives/moms/homemakers (and also those moms/wives who must work or choose to) out there, know you are highly valued by God and his Son Jesus. Your work is a worthy cause and is important enough to be healed in order to complete, at times. The Lord did not ultimately heal my mom, he had another reason to take her home, which I will find out later. But he did heal Peter‘s mom, and I like to think it was in part because she was so good at ministering to him while he ministered to so many.

Lord, thank you for the wives/moms out there who make houses homes. I am blessed to have a wonderful wife and mom in my house. It is a safe place for us to belong and rest. So much good comes out of a good home. And I’ve been blessed with some moms who filled in the gap for me over the years. Thank you for my mom, my wife, and all the family and close friends you’ve brought into my life!