Volume 2

Peter's Mother-in-Law
9. JESUS CURES PETER'S MOTHER-IN-LAW.
PETER'S GREAT HUMILITY
263
Jesus now went without delay with the disciples out of
the city gate and along the mountain to Peter's in
Bethsaida. They had urged Him to do so, for they
thought that Peter's mother-in-law was dying. Her sickness
had very much increased, and now she had a raging
fever. Jesus went straight into her room. He was followed
by some of the family; I think Peter's daughter was
among them. He stepped to that side of the bed to which
the sick woman's face was turned, and leaned against the
bed, half-standing, half-sitting, so that His head approached
hers. He spoke to her some words, and laid His
hand upon her head and breast. She became perfectly
still. Then standing before her, He took her hand and
raised her into sitting posture, saying: "Give her something
to drink!" Peter's daughter gave her a drink out of
a vessel in the form of a little boat. Jesus blessed the
drink and commanded the invalid to rise. She obeyed and
arose from her low couch. Her limbs were bandaged, and
she wore a wide nightdress. Disengaging herself from the
bandages, she stepped to the floor and rendered thanks to
the Lord, the entire household uniting with her.
At the meal that followed, she helped with the other
women and, perfectly recovered, served at table. After
that, Jesus, with Peter, Andrew, James, John, and several
of the other disciples, went to Peter's fishery on the lake.
In the instruction He gave them, He spoke principally of
the fact that they would soon give up their present occupations
and follow Him. Peter became quite timid and
anxious. He fell on his knees before Jesus, begging Him
to reflect upon his ignorance and weakness, and not to
insist on his undertaking anything so important, that he
was entirely unworthy, and quite unable to instruct
others. Jesus replied that His disciples should have no