Yes, I am going ‘old school.’ Catching up was a common phrase back in the day. It was a way for friends to get caught up on each other’s lives. I guess today the phrase is, let’s grab a cup of coffee. I remember coffee or tea as an established part of catching up, not the main event. Catching up was all about friends, family and life.

Jesus caught up with his friends too. He came to their homes to sit, talk, teach, and dine. They could talk freely and get private instruction from the Messiah himself.

Matthew 8:14-15 says: “Jesus entered the house of Peter, and saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, the fever left her, and she rose and waited on him.”

I chose this two-verse passage because it is simple and implies much more than it says. In my search, I found this miracle recorded in only these two verses. Simply put, Jesus walked into Peter’s house and healed his mother-in-law.

Peter was a close friend to Jesus. In my reading of this passage, so was Peter’s family. Jesus walked into Peter’s house like a friend walks into my own home. He sees Peter’s mother-in-law lying in the bed and goes straight to her with healing.

I believe she believed Jesus is the Messiah. I don’t know her name, but I know she is a woman of faith. Because to be healed we must have faith in God. The scripture does not say if Jesus talked to her, it says; “He touched her hand, the fever left her…” When I read this, I see simple faith in her friend Jesus and a simple touch driving away sickness.

I also think Peter and his family sat down and enjoyed catching up with Jesus that evening. The scripture says, “… she rose and waited on him.” What do you think they talked about? I think they caught up on what was going on in their lives. To this day, this is what we do with friends and family. When I talk to God in prayer, I know he cares about every detail of my day. I pour out my heart, grieve with Him, laugh with Him, worship Him, and sing with Him. Think about it, He cared enough to touch her hand and heal her. I am sure he cared enough to have a conversation with her and her family as she waited on him. Can you hear the banter and laughter? In my spirit I can.

Right now it is hard to connect with our family and friends. Some of us have lost loved ones. We need each other now more than ever. Even more than our need for each other, we need to catch up with God through prayer and scripture.

In this scripture Jesus shows us the importance of spending time with family, friends and fellow believers. Matthew 18:20 assures us, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” When we gather together remember God is in the room with us. Digital or in person, it does not matter. He touches all of us who gather together in his name. When we “catch up,” let’s include our God in the conversation.

Remember this is not only when two or more are gathered together. He is with us when we are alone too. This year has been difficult for the average Christian. We have shouldered our crosses. If you cannot connect with someone today, know that there is one, closer than a brother, that carried a cross and a burden to save us. Talk to Him with prayer. He walks with us today, guiding us and lifting the weight from our shoulders. Whatever cross we carry, we do not carry it alone.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your blessings. Help us reach out to you when we are alone, afraid, distracted and stubborn. May we see your hand in all we do. Thank you for carrying the cross with the weight of our sins and die for our salvation. As we struggle with the cross placed upon us by the world, help us turn to you and ask for help. We are grateful for your strength and comfort. Guide and protect us. Grant us the grace to remain faithful and wisdom to avoid the snares set in our path. Bless your Holy Name. Our Father in Heaven You are our refuge. Praise You for Your Mercy on us. In Jesus name, amen. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit amen.

God bless us today,

Milly

P.S. The scripture is from the New American Bible Revised Edition