Jesus went to Simon's house after the synagogue service.  At that time, Simon (later to be called Peter) had not yet been called to be a disciple (Luke 5:1-11).  The extended family was there including Simon's wife's mother.  She may have been old but she was certainly very unwell in bed, running a high fever.  In those days, without any effective medicines, the disease causing the fever might lead to death.  So, the family were concerned and asked Jesus for help.  In the same way that He addressed the demons, He commanded the fever to leave her; and it did. Everybody knew a miracle had occurred because she instantly felt better, so much so that she got up and served them a meal.
 
Luke, as a physician, was especially interested in investigating and recording Jesus’ healing miracles.  But he does not mention physical health until he establishes that Jesus' ministry was to preach God's truth and confront Satan's lies (Luke 4:32-35).  This healing was almost incidental, private and very family.  But Jesus wanted to teach Simon some personal lessons.  Firstly, Jesus is full of compassion.  Secondly, He wants to release people from fear of death (Hebrews 2:14-15).  Thirdly, He cared as much for women as for men, the old as the young.  Fourthly, He had God's authority over disease and can bring people back from the brink of death (Psalm 103:2-4).  Fifthly, He brings renewed strength for service (Psalm 103:5).
 
So, this great act of kindness was also personalised evidence to Simon Peter that Jesus was the Messiah who could be trusted.  The episode was not a recipe to make doctors redundant, but to validate who Jesus was.  These wonderful acts were not an end in themselves (to satisfy people's human needs), but they were signs pointing to His Divine character. His primary role was to die on the cross, to bear God's punishment for all the world's sin (Hebrews 9:28).  See www.crosscheck.org.uk to know more.
 
Jesus has the same character today.  He is immeasurably kind.  He hears every cry, and it is right for us to ask Him to supply our needs from daily bread to physical health.  Yet some pleas for healing end in death.  Does that mean that either God has ignored the prayer, or the person was not worthy of healing?  No!  In fact, every living thing will die; but those who believe in Jesus and His gospel will be raised to new life to serve the Lord for ever (John 10:28).  Every sign of His compassion is to encourage us to keep following, and every 'no' answer is to test our hope of His eternal kingdom.  The Lord personally shapes His response to our prayers so that we will receive His provision, but never so much that we are satisfied with earth alone and do not long for heaven.  So, take time today to grow in Christ as you thank Him for both the 'yes' and 'no' answers to prayer.