Today we looked at Luke 4:38–44, where Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law, and I was struck by her immediate response—she gets up and starts serving. That’s such a beautiful image of what grace should lead to: not just comfort or rest, but loving service. Then we see Jesus stepping away to a quiet place to pray, reminding us how important it is to unplug from all the noise and just be with God. We’re so constantly connected and distracted that we sometimes miss what God is trying to say. So today’s two simple takeaways are this: when Jesus changes your life, serve others—and when life gets loud, follow Jesus’ example and get quiet with the Father.

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Good morning. It’s good to be with you today on this Tuesday morning as we continue together in our time in Luke’s Gospel. I hope you had a good Monday. I’m looking forward to a great Tuesday. I’m excited about what awaits us today—every day is a gift. There’s that quote, I think from The Hobbit, that goes something like, “It’s a dangerous business, stepping out your door. You never know where you’ll end up.” That’s a paraphrase, of course. Tolkien said it much better than I just did.

Today, we’re going to read Luke chapter 4, verses 38 through 44:

After leaving the synagogue, he entered Simon’s house. Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately, she got up and began to serve them.
As the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various kinds of disease brought them to him. He laid his hands on them and cured them. Demons also came out of many, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew he was the Messiah.
At daybreak, he departed and went to a deserted place. The crowds were looking for him. When they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving. But he said to them, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.” So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea.

This all takes place in Simon’s house, in the town of Capernaum. Capernaum became something of a base of operations for Jesus. It was a fishing village on the Sea of Galilee—a busy hub for fishermen. Along with Bethany, where Jesus spent time with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, Capernaum was a place Jesus often returned to.

The synagogue mentioned here, the same one as in verse 31, still stands today. Some of the stones in its foundation date back to the actual time of Jesus. If you ever have the opportunity to go to Israel and visit Capernaum, you can see that synagogue. You’ll also see a modern church built over the ruins of an ancient church, which itself is built over the site believed to be where Peter’s mother-in-law was healed. That’s why I always say—if you can go to Israel, go. It’s incredible to walk where Jesus walked and to understand these stories in their historical context.

Now let’s reflect on Simon’s mother-in-law. She was sick with a fever, and Jesus healed her. And what did she do immediately after being healed? She got up and began to serve. That’s such a beautiful picture of what healing and conversion should lead to. We are not saved or healed so that we can live for ourselves. The gift of salvation, grace, mercy, and the presence of the Holy Spirit isn’t given for our comfort—it’s given so that we can serve God and serve our neighbors.

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbor. Our salvation equips us to do both. Peter’s mother-in-law gives us a powerful image of a life changed by Jesus: a life that responds in service. A converted life is a life poured out in love and service to others.

Later in the passage, Jesus withdraws to a deserted place. It doesn’t say so here, but in other places in scripture, it’s clear—he went to pray. Withdrawing to pray was a consistent practice for Jesus. He stepped away from the noise, the demands, and even the crowds to be with his Father.

We need to do the same. Especially now. We are bombarded constantly—phones, emails, social media, text messages, notifications. It’s non-stop. I once asked someone to explain cyberbullying to me like I was five. When I was a kid, if something bad happened at school, I left it behind when I went home. I could go outside, read a book, climb a tree. Today’s kids carry it with them constantly on their phones. And honestly, we adults do the same.

We’re never truly unplugged. Maybe we can’t hear God because we have too many other notifications coming in. Maybe God is speaking, but we’re just too distracted to listen.

Jesus withdrew so that he could hear his Father. We need to do the same. When was the last time you truly got quiet? Turned off your phone, silenced the noise, and just sat still before God—not chasing a dopamine rush, but listening?

Jesus withdrew, and we should too.

Simon’s mother-in-law served, and we should too.

Two simple but powerful examples of how to live faithfully today.

Thanks for being with us. Tomorrow we’ll pick up with Luke chapter 5. See you in the morning. Have a great day.