Trust

 

The first chapter of Mark quickly introduces the readers to Jesus as the Son of God. John the Baptist baptized Jesus and God proclaimed from heaven that Jesus is His Son. At once, Jesus began teaching, healing, and casting out demons with power and authority. People in Capernaum started clamoring to be near Him to watch what He would do. The religious leaders began taking notice of Jesus. They started listening and examining Him to teach, heal, and cast out demons.

Mark's second chapter continues to show Jesus' teaching and doing miraculous things. No one has ever done what Jesus did, except as God empowered him or her being as a prophet or priest. From Mark 2, Jesus told the people He is the Son of Man. The time was right for people to know about Jesus and the plan of salvation.

Jesus’ activities up through Mark 2:12 were generally positive. People expressed amazement at what He did and glorified God. From Mark 2:13, Jesus received “push-back” from the religious leaders. They challenged Him—His power, authority, and teaching. The stories Mark records in 2:13-3:6 generally show Jesus' meeting with negative interactions. The Pharisees and Herodians challenge Jesus. The Pharisees wanted to restore the kingdom of David. The Herodians wanted to restore a Herod to the throne in Judea. These two factions determined to work jointly to kill Jesus. Even though Pharisees and Herodians were political opposites, each faction worked with the other only to persecute Jesus.

With the start of Mark chapter two, Mark used a teaching form called a chiastic structure. A chiastic structure serves to lead readers and hearers to understand the lesson by developing in a way that people understand the purpose of the writer. In the Bible, a chiasm can occur within a verse, paragraph, chapter, or book. Each repetition develops the point. Mark used a chiastic structure in Mark 2:1-3:6. The structure for this passage of verses is as follows.

A.   Healing the paralytic (2:1-12)            

B.    Calling the tax collector and eating with tax collectors and sinners

C.    Question about fasting

B’. Jesus’ defense of the disciples for a Sabbath harvest

A’. Healing the man’s withered hand. 

Parts A and A’ deal with Jesus’ healing people. Sections B, C, and B’ tell about Jesus’ teaching on eating. In A, the religious leaders did not outwardly challenge Jesus. Jesus knew what was in their hearts. He showed and taught He has authority even to forgive sins. (Note: the Jews supposed a person was sick because he or she sinned. That sickness was God’s judgment on the person for his or her sin.) With A’, the religious leaders spoke out and Jesus challenged them on their idea of the Law’s purpose. He used healing people to teach in this instance, too. In B, C, and B’, Jesus dealt with religious leaders challenging Him about disobeying the Law. They judged Him because of with whom He ate, when they ate, and why they ate. In each part of this chiasm, Jesus confronted the religious leaders on their interpretation of the Law and God’s intent of it. Jesus shows His authority is greater than that of the Jewish authorities. Mark 2:1-12 shows who Jesus is and His purpose by using one encounter recorded in twelve verses. These twelve verses retell Him healing and teaching with power and authority and His opposition and vindication. These verses tell who Jesus is, the Son of Man, just as He stated in Mark 2:10 and Daniel foretold in Daniel 7:13-14.

Gathered

¹When Jesus came back to Capernaum a few days later, it was heard that He was at home. ²And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer space, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. (Mark 2:1-2 [NASB])

Remember, near the end of Mark chapter one, Jesus told Simon, Andrew, James, and John, when they found Him praying early in the morning in a quiet place, that He must go to other places in Galilee to preach and cast out demons (Mark 1:38). In chapter two, Mark records Jesus returned home to Capernaum. Capernaum was Jesus’ second home. He considered Simon and Andrew like family.

After Jesus cast out the demons after preaching in the synagogue in Capernaum, people flocked to Him. Jesus captivated them with His power and authority in His teaching, healing, and casting out demons. They wanted to witness Him do more. Some may have considered Him to be more than a magician or an outstanding teacher. No matter why people followed Him in droves, returning home to Capernaum showed how large of a crowd sought to observe and listen to Him. Mark wrote, “And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer space, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them” (NASB).

Jesus returned home to Capernaum. A vast crowd of people waited for Jesus to talk. No room in the house or near the door remained. People peeked in the window. They climbed onto the roof to listen to Jesus. Jesus came back to Capernaum. He did what He told the four men He had to do. Jesus preached the word. He taught about the Father and His words. Jesus speaking the word was a key part of His purpose. It was central to His ministry on earth. It became central to the Church’s ministry (Acts 6:4, 8:4, & 17:11, Galatians 6:6, & Colossians 4:3). Jesus drawing a crowd to Himself enabled many people to hear Him teach. Though the crowds and work wearied Him, the message the prophets foretold unfolded before their eyes.

Into the midst of this enormous crowd, four men carried their paralyzed friend. What might these men have concluded as they considered how large a crowd sought Jesus at home? What did they want from Jesus? Why did they suppose He could help their paralyzed friend? What would they do since they could not get near enough to Jesus for Him to look at their friend? God is omnipresent, everywhere present at the same time. He can spot you wherever you are, even at the back of a crowd.

Forgiven

³And some people came, bringing to Him (Jesus) a man who was paralyzed, carried by four men. ⁴And when they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and after digging an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralyzed man was lying. ⁵And Jesus, seeing their faith, said the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:3-5 [NASB])

Mark told of the resolve the men had and what they desperately did to get their friend noticed by Jesus. Jesus noticed the four friends, too. These men accepted if Jesus saw them, He would heal their friend. With that faith, they climbed the roof because they were desperate for a solution. How long did these men ponder their dilemma before going onto the roof? Mark does not say, but he shows their faith as they went upstairs with their paralyzed friend on a pallet. This pallet, some commentators consider, was a thick, quilted mat. Others understand it was like a mattress or army pallet of cloth and two rods. Whatever it was, it would be unwieldy to lower the man through a hole in the roof.

After digging through grass, dried mud, plaster, rock, and/or wood, the four men “let the pallet down” using ropes at each corner. The paralyzed man could not move to lessen injury if the pallet lowered askew. He had to trust his friends. The paralyzed man had learned to trust them since he could not take care of himself. The paralyzed man had faith and agreed to let his friends take him before Jesus, hoping He would heal him. He must have realized that since Jesus could heal his paralysis, He could heal any injury he received if he fell off his pallet. The faith of these men in Jesus, the Healer, gave them hope.

Jesus regarded the faith of the four men and their paralyzed friend. He recognized their realization of His power and authority. These five men acknowledged Jesus could do what was necessary to heal the paralyzed friend. Jesus had more in store for them that day than they expected. After seeing the faith of these five men, He said, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (vs. 5). Jesus understood they trusted in Him. He recognized the men had more than just a head faith or an emotional feeling. The trust of these five men in Jesus showed itself by visible actions. Jesus rewarded the men’s faith that, when faced with obstacles, kept strong. Do you stand firm in your faith in Jesus when difficulties confront you? God said He would never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6 & 8, 1 Chronicles 28:20, and Hebrews 13:5). Jesus reminded people of this promise. He did not leave or forsake this man and the hope his faith gave him. Jesus rewarded his faith with forgiveness. Forgiveness was more than the five men sought, but the relief it gave must have been breathtaking.

Jesus did not heal the man first. He addressed the Jews’ understanding of why a person is sick. Jews considered sickness of any kind a punishment from God for a person’s sins. Jesus addressed that idea by first telling the man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” He did not say, “I forgive your sins.” He used a passive verb to show He acted for God, like rabbis act for God, as a mediator for this man. Jesus knows each person sins. The Jews understood that, too. They offered sacrifices to God regularly to atone for their sins. Jesus did not say He healed the man. He offered the man what he needed most: forgiveness. Forgiveness did not cure the man of his paralysis. The people recognized this.

The five men wanted to be in front of Jesus. Obstacles did not keep them from Him. Jesus saw each of these men. He recognized them and rewarded their faith in Him. Though they had not sought forgiveness, when the paralyzed man received it, he undoubtedly felt relieved. The paralyzed man might have thought, “Jesus knew what I needed most.” Regarding the religious leaders, Jesus raised two issues. By what authority does Jesus forgive sins? What is the relationship between sin and sickness?

Restored

⁶But some of the scribes were sitting there and thinking it over in their hearts. ⁷Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God alone? ⁸Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were thinking that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you thinking about these things in your heart? ⁹Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk?’ ¹⁰But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” He said to the paralyzed man, “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet, and go home.” And he (the once-paralyzed man) got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” (Mark 2:6-10 [NASB])

The scribes of the synagogues dedicated their lives to copy the Torah. They taught at the synagogues what they had learned from rabbis’ teaching. The scribes watched Jesus heal and forgive the paralyzed man. They contemplated what the five men did and what Jesus said to the paralyzed man because. They considered how He taught like one with authority. The scribes might have thought in their hearts, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming!” (vs. 6) They considered and wondered if what Jesus taught was in the Law? Was it a fabricated teaching? Teaching fabricated ideas, as if they are from God, is blasphemy. Should the scribes trust what Jesus said? Should they challenge Him and report Him to the rabbis?

The scribes’ prime consideration for these questions was, “Who can forgive sins except God alone?” (vs. 7) They did not recognize Jesus as the Son of God yet. For Jesus to forgive a person of his or her sins meant the person did not need the Law to receive God’s forgiveness. Sinners did not need priests as their mediator. This meant they would not be offering a sacrifice at the temple for their sins. That would decrease the priests’ allotment of food for themselves and their families. Under the laws, God allowed only priests to be intermediaries and only God can forgive sins. God ordained them to fulfill the rituals of atonement, not anyone else. That means they saw Jesus as assuming God’s position of forgiving sins and assuming their positions as intermediaries between people and God. Thus, they judged Jesus guilty of blaspheming for assuming He is God. The Torah teaches the judgement of any person who blasphemes is death (Leviticus 24:10-23).

Jesus was aware of the scribes’ reflections. As part of the Godhead, He knows all things. Jesus realized the scribes did not look positively at Jesus forgiving a man for his sins. He knew they considered Him to be blaspheming. Instead of the scribes speaking out and challenging Him, Jesus challenged them about their deliberations. Because Jesus understood their thoughts, He proved to them He is God, though they did not want to admit it. What does God detect when He searches your heart? Doubt, fear, or trust?

How did Jesus confront these scribes? He said in verse nine, “Which is easier, to say to the paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your pallet, and walk?’” Which is physically easier to say of these two statements? The first statement has six syllables, and the second has nine syllables. The first statement is easier to pronounce. Since Jews concluded sins cause sickness, if a person got well, that meant God had forgiven the person’s sins.

Mark wrote what Jesus said in verse ten. Jesus said, “But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Jesus realized the people wanted visible proof of Jesus’ authority to forgive sins. With Jesus’ question, He offered a way to prove His authority. Jesus healed the man to authenticate what these people could not verify by sight — forgiveness. People cannot see forgiveness, but they can see when a person is well. Even though saying “Your sins are forgiven” is easier, Jesus knew He would confirm Himself as the Messiah by healing the man. The people would see the healed man and know God forgave Him. Jesus, as God’s mediator, would prove to the scribes and other people He is who He says He is, the Son of Man.

Jesus used the Son of Man title fourteen times in Mark’s gospel. Daniel 7:13-14 is where this title first occurs in the Bible. In these verses, God gives the Son of Man eternal dominion, honor, and a kingdom. The “Son of Man” does not have the military connotations the title “Messiah” has. The Jews expected the Messiah to be the victor, who delivers them from Roman rule and reestablishes the kingdom of David. If the scribes had understood Jesus used this title, “Son of Man,” as Messianic, they would have understood Jesus’ purpose earlier. But the scribes misunderstood its meaning as Jesus used it. Do we have the right idea of who the Messiah is? Do we want Him just to be our hero? Are we expecting Him to be like the Son of Man, about whom Daniel prophesied?

With this title attributed to Himself, Jesus proclaimed in verse eleven, “I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet, and go home.” He declared His authority to the scribes and the people by ordering the paralytic to do these three things. Notice Jesus did not discuss His command with the paralytic’s four friends. The faith was the paralytic man’s own. He himself had to accept the authority Jesus has over sin and illness. This man had to trust in Jesus to enable him to arise. He had to act on this belief by picking up his pallet and going home, too. The paralytic man’s mental belief showed in his outward actions.

With the healing of the once-paralytic man, Jesus showed His divinity. He can powerfully and authoritatively forgive sins and heal. Jesus showed who He is by His power and authority. The people were “amazed,” Mark said in verse twelve. They glorified God.

The scribes did not express amazement, according to Mark’s retelling. They realized Jesus’ success came at their expense. The scribes and other religious leaders had lots to lose if Jesus is who He said He is. He would become the mediator and high priest for the Jews and others who believed in Him. Jesus, being the Messiah, would make the priests and sacrifices redundant. The priests would lose their income and their status in the community.

In Mark 1:32-34, Mark stated an entire city gathered to see Jesus heal the sick and cast out demons. This time, they saw the declaration of forgiveness by Jesus. They listened to His grand declaration of His right to do it. Jesus, Mark wrote, has the power to forgive sins, to heal, to cast out demons, and to preach and teach.

5 people’s faith took the man to Jesus.

1 man’s faith accepted health and forgiveness.

Everyone glorified God and exclaimed.

Application and Conclusion

We may not be sick now, but we have been. We may not have demons, but we could have in the future. We might not trust in Jesus, but we can. People came to see Jesus for themselves, to listen to what He taught, and to watch as He healed and cast out demons. Until this moment in Mark, people had not seen Jesus authoritatively forgive sins as if He is God. They glorified God because they saw Jesus heal a man and forgive him. Does your faith cause everyone around you to be amazed and to glorify God because of what He did?

We come to the point the Jews faced that day. Will we believe in Jesus? The four men considered Jesus could heal their paralyzed friend. The people accepted for themselves that the stories they had heard about Jesus. The scribes were curious. They later felt fear-fear He would take away their way of life and fear He would lead the Jews astray. The religious leaders were the keepers of God’s word and the way to go before God from a distance. Each of these people encountered Jesus from hearing about Him, seeing Him, and some, by believing in Him as the Son of Man. Each of us today encounters Jesus through reading this Bible study, reading the Bible, hearing about Jesus, and seeing miraculous healing. We face Jesus in our minds, hearts, bodies, and spirits. Jesus speaks to our spirits before and after we have professed faith in Him for salvation.

Today, you can hear about and come to have faith in Jesus through watching a church service on television, on the internet, or in person. You have the chance to meet Him on your own by reading your Bible and by praying. The four friends had faith in Jesus to heal their paralytic friend. It was the paralytic’s faith in Jesus that healed and forgave him. Today is your day to decide who Jesus is for you. Is He the Son of Man, the One who has dominion, power, and glory, as Daniel declared? Will you believe in Jesus by faith that Jesus is the Son of God who came to be your mediator and forgiver of your sins so you can be in God’s presence now and forever?

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 [NASB])

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. (Romans 3:28 [ESV])

And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. (Romans 4:5 [ESV])

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1 [ESV])

Being forgiven and saved from the judgment you deserve because of your sins comes by faith in Jesus. Nothing you can do will earn salvation. Just faith.

Nevertheless, knowing that a person is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law; since by works of the Law, no flesh will be justified. (Galatians 2:16 [NASB])

 

Willing

 

The first thirty-nine verses of Mark chapter one, introduces the reader to Jesus, who He is, what He said, and what He did at the start of His ministry. Mark’s intent in writing this gospel was to show Jesus is who He said by showing His ministry. After His baptism by John the Baptist and God’s proclamation that Jesus is His Son, Jesus walked to and stayed in the wilderness for forty days without food or drink, and He did not succumb to Satan’s temptations.

Upon exiting His wilderness experience, Jesus walked to the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee and called four fishermen–Simon, Andrew, James, and John–to follow Him. The men immediately left their boats and walked with Him. Jesus and the four men walked to the synagogue in Capernaum, Galilee. He stood in the synagogue and taught from God’s word with power and authority, then cast evil spirits out of a possessed man. The people began talking among themselves with amazement. Afterwards, Jesus walked with Simon and Andrew to their home. Simon told Jesus about his mother-in-law being sick in bed with a fever. Jesus walked to her, helped her sit up, and willed her to be well. He helped her to her feet, and she began serving the men. When the Sabbath ended, the people brought to Jesus those who were ill and demon possessed. Mark said, “The whole city had gathered at the door. And He (Jesus) healed many who were ill with various diseases and cast out many demons” (Mark 1:33-34 [NASB]). People commented throughout Jesus’ actions about His power and authority.

After these activities, Jesus retreated to a quiet place early in the morning to pray. Simon and others searched earnestly for Him. When they found Jesus, Simon told Him everyone was looking for Him. Jesus told Simon and his companions they must go with Him to towns nearby so He could preach there, too. In these four verses (Mark 1:35-38), Jesus modeled and explained ministry for these people. Ministering includes praying to God and proclaiming the gospel. Jesus then took them into synagogues throughout Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.

Compassion

⁴⁰And a man with leprosy came to Jesus, imploring Him and kneeling down, and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” ⁴¹Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” ⁴²And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. (Mark 1:40-42 [NASB])

While in a district in Galilee, a man with leprosy approached Jesus. This man understood the law forbade him from entering the city walls because of his disease. He knew the law forbade him to approach a clean person, a person who was not an outcast because of illness or demon possession. This leper learned about Jesus’ miracles. He wanted Him to cure him, too. Perhaps he had listened to the religious leaders teaching that God judges sinners with infirmities. We do not know what this leper knew and understood. He wanted to go to the temple to worship God. The leper wanted to be around other people. He did not want to be an outcast.

This leper listened to people talk about Jesus and risked further shunning by approaching Him, a non-outcast, a clean person. He begged. This man used the most humbling way to approach a person for a favor. He kneeled before Jesus. He lowered himself physically and in status before Jesus begging Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean” (vs. 40). After hearing about the people Jesus healed and the demons He cast out, he believed Jesus could heal him. The leper recognized Jesus as being greater than himself and risked shunning to implore Him for favor, grace.

The leper stated Jesus had the power to heal him when he said if He “willed.” When Jesus willed something, He gave His best offer. He was disposed-chose-to do something. When Jesus died on the cross, He gave His absolute best offer-salvation and eternal life. This leper did not realize Jesus had that ability, but he trusted Jesus could heal him and stated that fact in this verse. “If You are willing.” The leper begged Jesus to give His best offer that he had noted from overheard conversations–healing that made him ceremonially and socially clean. His curing would make him clean. This man desired for the people to accept him.

Jesus disposed Himself toward this man. He listened to the man and acted upon it. Mark said, “Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed’” (vs 41). Jesus willed-desired-to give His best offer to this man. He desired the leper to receive ceremonial cleansing. Jesus used the same word the leper did when he asked for cleansing. The leper wanted ceremonial and social cleansing. He wanted to be in the city and the synagogue. Jesus proved to the leper, the watchers, and the later-hearers He is able and willing to heal and cleanse people. Jesus can do more than that, as Mark tells later in His gospel, but the time was not right yet. At the right time, Jesus would declare His purpose on earth.

Another factor to consider in this meeting with the leper is Jesus touched him. Jesus risked getting leprosy by touching Him, but He did not contract it. If Jesus had contracted leprosy, the priest would have proclaimed Him an outcast, too. This would have made Jesus unable to go to the areas in which the people lived. Jesus did not become infected with it. He, a clean man, touched an unclean one and made him clean, while Himself not becoming unclean. If the leaders considered this action in depth, they would have realized only a truly “clean” person can make another clean. Only a person who is absolutely clean can make another person clean. If the religious leaders dived deeper into their theology, they would remember their belief that God gives disease and death to those who sin against Him. By making this leper clean, Jesus’ actions said He forgave the leper and He Himself is God. Only God could forgive sins. The religious leaders had not pondered Jesus’ actions and teachings deeply yet. Soon, Jesus’ ministry would encounter negative reactions.

Again, Mark used one of his favorite adverbs. He wrote the word “immediately.” He wrote in such a way that it appeared Jesus rapidly encountered and interceded with power and authority for people one after another. In verse forty-two, Mark wrote, “And at once, the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.” Jesus willed the man to be well, and he was. He did not instruct the man to make a wish or do anything before he received healing. Jesus willed it and it occurred. Immediately, the leprosy left him. At once, the man became clean. Jesus willed, reached out, and touched. He did everything necessary for the man to be healed/cleansed. The man did nothing to receive healing other than approach Jesus, the One whom he trusted could heal him.

Command

⁴³And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, ⁴⁴and He said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” ⁴⁵But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere. (Mark 1:43-45 [NASB])

Once again, Mark used his favorite adverb, immediately. Mark pushed along the gospel about Jesus. He made it look as if no time elapsed between when Jesus healed the leper and when He sent him on his way with a stern command. With a strong warning, Jesus sent the once-leper away. What was the firm/stern warning Jesus gave the man? He commanded him not to tell anyone what happened, that Jesus healed him. Instead, Jesus firmly told him to show himself to the priest and give the offering Moses wrote in the Pentateuch. Notice Jesus willed the man to be well and touched him. He had compassion for the former leper. Now Jesus commanded the man what to do next, show himself to the priest. The man did nothing to be well and clean. He had to go to the priest for his declaration of cleanness. This once-leprous man had to give the offering, which Moses wrote about, at the synagogue. With his cleansing, the former leper had obligations in the world. Jesus had compassion and commanded.

Why did Jesus not want the man to tell people about Him? Why did He tell him first to go straight to the priest? Perhaps, Jesus did not want the leper to tell people because then they would constantly want Him to do miracles. Possibly, Jesus might not have wanted people to know He is the Messiah yet. Their expectation of the Messiah was as a political deliverer, a warrior king who would throw the Romans out of Israel. What Mark emphasizes in his gospel is that at the right time, Jesus would fulfill the requirements for the salvation of humanity. Jesus commanded this clean man to tell nobody. The time was not right yet.

Jesus commanded the clean man not to tell anyone but to go straight to the priest and give the offering required according to Moses’ command. This man trusted in Jesus and received the healing He willed for him. Yet, he did not obey His command. The once-leper walked and proclaimed his experience with Jesus freely and openly so that the news spread (vs. 45). Why did Mark highlight this part of the man’s story? Because by proclaiming about Jesus, it made it harder for Jesus to speak in populated places and have relative anonymity. He could not enter a city publicly, but had to stay in sparsely populated areas. Yet, what God planned, no human can stop. People from everywhere sought Jesus. Later in his Gospel, Mark will recall the 4000 and 5000 people who followed Jesus out of the city. They would need food because they were so far away from their money and a source of food.

The once-leprous man was now ceremonially and socially clean, but he did not obey Jesus’ command. He finally arrived, in his own time, at the synagogue to show himself to the priest and offer the sacrifices. The first part of Jesus’ directions. Showing himself to the priest and giving an offering were to be the first public testimonies of his cleanness. Instead, his first offering was to disobey Jesus. It was lip service, not heart service. It might have hindered more people from learning about Jesus. Humanity cannot thwart God’s plans, though. Jesus’ fame grew, and people sought Him.

Application and Conclusion

Mark’s telling about the leprous man Jesus healed is more than about what Jesus can do. Any time a person encounters another, a reaction happens. A person may say, “Hello,” in passing. The recipient of the greeting may respond similarly. If the person does not respond vocally to the first person, the lack of response is the person’s reaction to the greeting. People react with action or inaction.

In this retelling of Jesus healing the leper, Mark noted for readers who did which actions. He began and ended with the leper’s actions. Most actions, though, were in the story’s body. At the start, the man kneeled before and begged Jesus to make him clean. In the end, that man disobeyed Jesus and told people about his healing before going to the priest as commanded. Jesus’ compassion moved Him to will the man’s healing, so He touched him and cleansed him. As the recipient of Jesus’ favor because of his acknowledgment of His compassion and power to heal, Jesus commanded the man not to tell people about Him. Instead, He commanded the man to go to the priest and then offer the sacrifices required in the Old Testament. These would show his ceremonial and social cleanness.

Jesus’ reaction to the man’s entreaty and humility was compassion and action that showed His love. The leper’s reaction to Jesus’ compassion and command was disobedience and personal satisfaction. The man could legally be among people at last. He wanted that more than he wanted to obey the One he recognized as greater, Jesus. This once-leprous man did what he wanted before he did what Jesus commanded. Jesus did not need the man to show himself to the priest before He healed the leper. He healed him out of compassion, with no strings attached.

Jesus comes to each of us with no strings attached. He did everything necessary for each person to receive salvation from the judgment his or her sins deserve. We do not have to do anything except believe in Him as God’s Son, our Savior, and confess and repent of our sins. If you have done that, have you followed the command He gave to each of His disciples? Jesus said, the greatest commandment is to love the Lord, God, with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40). In neither of these is a person to exalt self above God nor the neighbor. The desires of oneself are not greater than Jesus’ commands. The command to love our neighbors includes proclaiming about Jesus and the salvation He gives to each person who believes. Proclaim about God’s love for each person. Follow Jesus’ model for ministry. Have compassion on people, your neighbors. Tell them about Him.

If you refuse to obey Jesus’ commands, how much must you hate your neighbors that you do not tell them about Jesus and salvation? What caused that hate or disdain toward them? Is it because you love yourself more than them and more than God? Yes, that precisely is what causes that reaction to Jesus. The choice not to obey what Jesus commands, even though not overtly stated by you, is a reaction to His command. Disobedience by omission is disobedience, outright defiance. These reactions to Jesus are self-satisfaction, not obedience.

Jesus gives several imperatives in the Bible. To unbelievers and Christians, He says, “Come to Me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). What keeps you from accepting His rest? Jesus told the men who would become His disciples, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of people” (Matthew 4:19). If you follow Jesus, then refuse to do as He commands that disobedience is your reaction to Jesus’ call. If you recognize Jesus’ call to follow Him, but ignore it and go your own way, you are reacting to His imperative by going the other way.

With each encounter in life, we have the choice to engage positively, negatively, or completely ignore the encounter. The leper engaged with Jesus. He humbled himself and begged for mercy. Jesus had compassion for Him and healed him. He reacted to the man’s plight and plea positively. The healed leper reacted to Jesus with joy and immediately disobeyed the One whom he sought. This leper was like many people throughout history and into the endless future. He overtly disobeyed Jesus’ command. The leper was like Judas Iscariot. Alternatively, people who listen to others speak about Jesus but choose not to engage with Him shun His compassion. Their reaction is inaction to Jesus’ call. These people are like the priests who learned about or who listened to Jesus for themselves but ignored and persecuted Him.

Whether a person believes, then rebels, or chooses not to believe after hearing about Jesus, ignoring Jesus for self-satisfaction is the cause. Where are you in life? Who are you in this story of the leper? Are you the leper who sought Jesus, received His healing, then disobeyed Him? Are you the people who heard about what Jesus did for the leper, but did not believe in Him?

Today, since you have gotten this far in the lesson, these two questions affect you. You have heard about Jesus. Will you believe in Him for salvation, then continue to choose to live for your own satisfaction, in rebellion to Him? Will you push Him away and disobey because you wish to do something besides what He commanded you? Jesus wills for us to receive His salvation that He freely gives. He wants to have an eternal relationship with us.

Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 [NASB])

God is everywhere. We cannot go anywhere that He will not see us and know what we are doing and thinking. If you think by turning your back on God, you get away from Him, that is not accurate. He will keep making the offer of the salvation Jesus made possible for every person who believes in Him. He desires for you to be saved from your sins, the judgment of your sins, and an eternal separation in Hell away from Him.

Will you believe in Jesus?

Will you accept the salvation He offers you?

Will you obey Him no matter the cost?

What are you willing to do now that you have heard about Jesus?

⁷Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

⁸If I ascend to heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

⁹If I take up the wings of the dawn,

If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

¹⁰Even there, Your hand will lead me,

And Your right hand will take hold of me.

(Psalm 139 7-10 [NASB])

Does Your Life Reveal Jesus

 

Introduction

On this Mother’s Day of 2022, as a people of God, we remember the mothers of the Bible, women, like Esther, Ruth, Naomi, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Mary, Martha, Lydia, and the much-heralded Proverbs 31 women. We even recall our own mothers and the gifts they shared with us and other people, gifts like love, compassion, forgiveness, wisdom, a cool hand on a fevered brow, a meal out of little food, an effervescent joy in the face of difficulty, and an unparalleled love of God. We also can remember the women in our lives who loved us, encouraged us, gave us food, sent cards to us, and helped us in our hour of need. We might not remember their names, but we remember their actions. I know for me, as I recall actions of kindness, goodness, and love, several women served God by caring for me. I do not remember their names, but when I think about each one, I say, “You know, Ms. Whatshername.”

Today, I will use a much forgotten and possibly unknown woman of the New Testament. Six verses in three Gospels - Matthew, Mark, and Luke - tell us about her. This woman is the unnamed mother-in-law of Simon, later called Peter. Mark’s recounting to his readers about this incident wants them to understand the woman’s name is not as important as Jesus. He is the object of this brief retelling in the Gospels. We will call Simon’s mother-in-law Ms. Whatshername.

What if you heard about a young lady who finally had finished her formal studies and began her career? She was a diligent worker. One Mother’s Day, she surprised her mother. She told her mom to dress sharply. This young lady had something she wanted her mom to see. She drove to where her mother lived, a house without running water or electricity. A house she herself remembered as home, a home filled with unending love by a mother who raised her and her four siblings. That day, she drove to her mother’s home and took her to an unknown destination. She and her mother walked into a building and met a young man. This man dressed sharply, too. He handed the mother a royal blue box with a red bow on it. The mother looked at her daughter, then back at the box. The young lady nodded at her mother. The mother took the box and looked at her daughter again. The daughter smiled and nodded. The mother, trembling, gently lifted the hinged lid. She saw a shining key in the box. The mother looked at her daughter with a question in her eyes. The daughter told her to hold on to it. Next, mother and daughter returned to the daughter’s car and rode several kilometers from the office. The daughter stopped in front of a yellow house. It had a front porch and clean windows, surrounded by blue shutters. The daughter got out of the car, opened her mother’s door, and helped her out of the car. She took her mother’s arm and walked her to the front door. The mother stood trembling. “Could it be?” she wondered as her daughter opened the box for her, then placed the key in her mother’s hand. The daughter pointed toward the keyhole and watched her mother insert the key with trembling hands. As the lock turned and the door opened, the mother, with tears in her eyes, turned to her daughter and hugged her. This loved daughter had given her mother a house for Mother’s Day. More than that, she had shown to her the love she had sown in her. The person to focus on in this story is the mother. Her daughter’s life revealed even more who the mother was.

Background

¹⁶As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother, Andrew, casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷“Come follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ¹⁸At once, they left their nets and followed Him.

¹⁹When He had gone a little farther, He saw James, son of Zebedee, and his brother, John, in a boat, preparing their nets. ²⁰Without delay, He called them, and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired me and followed Him.

²¹They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²²The people were amazed at His teaching because He taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. ²³Just then, a man in their synagogue, who was possessed by an impure spirit, cried out, ²⁴“What do You want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are–the Holy One of God!”

²⁵“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” ²⁶The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

²⁷The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching–and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits, and they obey Him.” ²⁸News about Him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. (Mark 1:16-28 [NIV])

In the day or two before the time at Simon’s house, Jesus had traveled around the Sea of Galilee and called four fishermen to come with Him. As they walked into Capernaum, He and the men entered the synagogue because it was the Sabbath. While there, Jesus taught the scriptures with power and authority and cast out evil spirits from a man (Mark 1:21-24). The evil spirits recognized who Jesus was. They said He is the “Holy One of God.” Jesus commanded them to be silent (vs. 25). The time for His identity to be known had not come. The people in the synagogue were amazed at what and how Jesus said taught. They wondered aloud at the power and authority by which He did and spoke these things (vs. 27-28).

Mark’s Gospel emphasizes the unfolding ministry of Jesus. His purpose was to tell people who Jesus was by telling of His ministry. For this reason, Mark did not begin with Jesus’ genealogy, like Matthew. With the first two chapters of Mark, Jesus’ ministry rapidly unfolds, showing readers and listeners Jesus’ power and authority. He did this so they would come to believe in Jesus as the Messiah.

The Encounter

²⁹As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. ³⁰Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. ³¹So He went to her, took her hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to wait on them. (Mark 1:29-31 [NIV])

Matthew’s account of this is found in Matthew 8:14-15. He said, “When Jesus came into Peter’s house, He saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her and the fever left her, and she got up and waited on Him.” (NIV) Luke’s retelling of this same encounter is in Luke 3:38-39. He said,

³⁸Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. ³⁹So, He bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them (NIV).

Each of these men tells of this encounter Jesus had with Simon’s mother-in-law, whom we will call Ms. Whatshername, and the men who were with Him. Though each man wrote about it from his own perspective, each included three key details. Jesus looked at the woman with the fever. The fever left her. Ms. Whatshername was healed. The passive verb tense in Mark shows Ms. Whatshername is the recipient of the healing; Jesus did the action; He healed her.

In each of the Gospel accounts, the joint story moves from the woman, who is sick, to the fever having left her. In two of them, Jesus touched her. In one, He rebuked the fever and commanded it to leave her. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus raised the Ms. Whatshername from her lying down to sitting. Next, He helped her to stand. The fever would have dehydrated her and made her weak. Jesus shared His strength with her. At this point, Mark makes the statement that the fever left the Ms. Whatshername. He does not state Jesus’ touch healed her. Neither Matthew nor Luke said this either. Mark made this emphasis on Jesus easier to understand when, later in chapter one, he wrote about Jesus healing the leper. In that encounter, Mark told his readers and listeners, “A man with leprosy came to Him and begged Him on his knees, ‘If You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Jesus was indignant. He reached out His hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ He said. ‘Be clean!’” (Mark 1:40-42 [NIV]) The healing Jesus did for Ms. Whatshername occurred because Jesus willed it. Jesus desired, willed, to heal her like He did the leper.

Jesus wants everyone to be free from their bondage, be it sin, illness, demons, false teaching, or anything else that keeps people from believing in Him for salvation. Jesus desired to heal Ms. Whatshername, and she was. Jesus is most important to remember and focus on as one reads the Gospel accounts. The person He “touched” is secondary. Jesus was the One who changed people’s lives back then and now. His intention for all people to come to know Him as their Savior is why He came to earth, died on the cross, and rose to life again. Jesus, by using His power to heal Ms. Whatshername, opened a door for her to be receptive to the gospel.

The Purpose

Since each encounter with Jesus has a purpose, what were the purposes of this mother-in-law’s encounter with Jesus? What are the purposes for us and each person who listened to and/or read about this story? Jesus met people. He did things for them. Why? The obvious Sunday School reason is so they would believe in Him and be saved. Think deeper than that. Jesus did these things so that His disciples would see and model them and teach about them. Why was it so important they and Jesus did these things?

Power and Authority

It was important to show Jesus’ power and authority over sickness. Just as Jesus showed He has power and authority to cast out demons and preach the scriptures authoritatively, He could heal people. Remember, Mark’s Gospel shows people Jesus really is the Messiah. That would hopefully lead them to trust in Him for salvation. The mother-in-law’s life revealed Jesus as the Messiah to the people who watched, listened to stories and read about her encounter with Jesus. Consider it another way. Jesus met Ms. Whatshername because she was sick. His meeting with her could reveal even more who He is.

Think about the story of Lazarus. Jesus did not go to Mary and Martha until four days after Lazarus died. Why? Jesus explained it to His disciples in John 11:14-15 when He said, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake, I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Consider the Jewish point of view. For Jews at the time, a person’s death was verified if they had not awakened within three days after a dying. Jesus going to Bethany, where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived, on the fourth day proved something for the Jews. It proved to the Jews Lazarus was undeniably dead. When Jesus called Lazarus to come out of the tomb, they would know without a doubt Jesus raised him from the dead. Jesus used Lazarus to reveal who He is. He used Ms. Whatshername of Mark 1:29-32 to reveal who He is. He proved He is all-powerful and has all authority.

Love and Compassion

We Christians believe Jesus has power and authority. We have had two-thousand years to read about Him and see God work in amazing ways during this time. Let us consider another reason Jesus used Ms. Whatshername to reveal Himself. What purpose did Jesus have? Jesus showed His love for her and had compassion for her because she suffered from a high fever. Back then, no antibiotics existed for infections. Fevers came in many ways, including malaria, typhoid, cholera, or flu. What Jesus noted was this woman was sick. She was special to Simon and Andrew. How do we know this? They mentioned her to Jesus, hoping He would do a miracle and cure her. Jesus recognized their love for the woman. Jesus loved her, too. He wanted to help her. Jesus revealed His love and compassion for Simon’s mother-in-law by healing her.

Equal Importance

Though different statuses existed in the ancient world of Jesus’ time and people’s value depended on who they were or what they did (Does this sound familiar?), Jesus showed to the people in Simon’s house and to Ms. Whatshername that all people are equal in importance. God made each person in His image. When He finished creating them, He said, “It is good.” God did not choose one person or people group to be less important or inferior to others. Similarly, Jesus considered women as important as men. “Whether slave or free, man or woman, Jew or Gentile, all people are one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).” In that vein, all people in the world are made in God’s image. Jesus came to save each person. He does not care if you come from a Christian, other religious, or atheist background. Jesus includes all people to receive the salvation He offers for sins. When any person believes in Jesus for salvation, he or she gains identification as a child of God. That means God begins making the person into the image of Christ by the Holy Spirit that lives in him or her. Paul said in Romans 8:15b-16, “The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” People who trust in Jesus for salvation are no more what they were. The Holy Spirit transforms him or her into the image of Jesus. Read these verses to understand more. 

For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son that He might be the firstborn among man brothers and sisters. (See Romans 8:29 [NIV])

Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–His good, pleasing, and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 [NIV])

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with an ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18 [NIV])

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16 [NIV])

Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 [NIV])

Jesus met Simon’s mother-in-law to reveal He loves everyone without prejudice.

Gratitude

Ms. Whatshername’s life revealed gratitude. Because of Jesus’ care for her, His love and compassion because He healed her, she cared for Him. This healed woman wanted to thank Jesus. She thanked and loved Jesus by serving Him. Ms. Whatshername may have served Jesus by washing His feet, giving Him the best pillow to sit on, taking His outer garment to clean, and feeding Him her best food. The Gospel writers did not say in what way she served them. Ms. Whatshername knew how to serve. This loved woman wanted to give her best to the man who healed her. She said, “Thank you,” with her actions. Ms. Whatshername recognized who healed her, thanked Him with what she had, and thanked Him openly so other people saw. This story of Jesus’ encounter with her shows people how they can express gratitude and that saying thank you is a good thing. Jesus' encounter with Ms. Whatshername came to be written and shared. The writers told the story to point to Jesus and tell who He is. It shows what He does. Ms. Whatshername’s life became an example of how to respond to meeting Jesus. Her life spread the news about Jesus. Does your life spread the news about Jesus and the salvation He gave you?

Think about the opening story of the young lady giving her mother a beautiful house. Is there someone you have not thanked? Do you take what they gave for granted? Does your life give a testimony about who helped you? We each have Ms. Whatshernames in our lives. We remember the kindness they showed us, but we cannot remember her name. Her life was not her own, just as yours is not. You are made in the image of God, like her. The young lady did not give her mother a house to display the amount of money she was earning. She gave her the house because of what her mother had given to her. A heart of gratitude and generosity. Consider who you have not thanked. Consider if that may be Jesus. Have you thanked Him and testified about Him because of His power and authority, love and compassion, and unprejudiced gift for you?

Recap and Conclusion

Jesus came to save people from their sins. Simon’s mother-in-law was no exception. None of us are sinless. The Gospel writers wrote about Jesus and His encounters with people to show He is who He says He is. His ability to speak with power and authority, to heal and cast our demons with power and authority, and to die and rise to life again all come from who He is, the Son of God, Deity. Jesus is part of the Trinity and has all power, might, love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, grace, etc. needed to do what He did and continues to do in this world.

On that day, Jesus taught the scripture with power and authority. He told four men to follow Him. He walked to the home of two of the fishermen. Simon and Andrew told Him about Simon’s extremely sick mother-in-law. Jesus knew of this woman’s illness. He realized Simon and Andrew were concerned for her health. Jesus understood before the day began what would occur and who He would meet. At the right time, He arrived at the home. One purpose Jesus followed Simon and Andrew to their home was to heal Ms. Whatshername. At the right time, Jesus understood her illness would be concerning. He recognized the time was right for people to see the truth of His deity by seeing His power to heal Ms. Whatshername’s body.

We do not know if Ms. Whatshername had heard of Jesus. He had only made Himself known in Capernaum that day. Would news have traveled to her about Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue even while she was sick? Whether or not she had heard of Jesus’ power and authority and the miracle He performed, Jesus walked to her and compassionately raised her up to sit. His power over life and death healed her. This woman may not have known yet that Jesus is the Messiah, but she recognized Him as a guest, a man with power, and the one who healed her. She arose from her bed and served Jesus and the other people who arrived at their home with Him.

Jesus revealed to people who He is through Simon’s mother-in-law’s life. Consider another way to say it. Ms. Whatshername’s life revealed who Jesus is. How so? Her life, because of this illness, resulted in six things being known. 

1.     Her life resulted in her family loving and respecting her.

2.     Her life resulted in Jesus showing compassion and love that led to showing His power through healing her.

3.     Her life resulted in praise and thanks to Jesus.

4.     Her life resulted in the spread of Jesus’ name and fame.

5.     Her life showed Jesus’ modeling for His disciples how to minister to and heal people.

6.     Her life resulted in the men being well-fed. (Which man does not want plenty of tasty food?)

Matthew, Mark, and Luke’s writings about Ms. Whatshername’s high fever allowed each person who read or listened to the story about her to learn of another area of Jesus’ power. It causes us to consider if our lives reveal who Jesus is. Three questions you should ask yourself.

1.     Who is your life story about you or Jesus?

2.     Does your life reveal Jesus to other people?

3.     Do you show your gratitude by trusting Jesus, and loving and serving Him?

God made you in His image. You should reflect Him. If not, what is in the way? Do you believe in Jesus as the Son of God and that He died for your sins? Have you confessed your sins to Jesus and promised never to do them again? You can avoid sins by relying on Him for strength. If you have never made this decision to believe in Jesus for salvation, today is not too soon. Your life can still reveal Jesus. Most importantly, Jesus is showing you, right now, who He is. Will you trust what He has revealed to you and become a child of God? Will you accept Jesus as your Savior?

Jesus was unafraid to show He is the Son of God. He was bold. You never walk in your own power to live your faith boldly. The Holy Spirit will give you strength and empower you to be bold for Jesus.

Be like the daughter who continued to reveal who the mother is.

Be like Simon’s mother-in-law and reveal who Jesus is through your life.

Search

 

Mark 1:1-34 revealed Jesus knew the time was right for Him to fulfill God’s plan. The time of His ministry had come. The first six Bible studies explain this. Each encounter Jesus had with people showed His authority and power. Mark’s gospel is a catalogue of Jesus’ ministry. As a reminder of what Mark wrote in the first thirty-four verses of chapter one, below is a summary.

After John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, Jesus traversed to the wilderness for forty days, endured Satan’s temptations without sinning, then returned to inhabited Israel. On Jesus’ return, He called four fishermen to follow Him. These fishermen immediately left their boats and nets. Jesus then walked into the Capernaum synagogue where He taught Scripture with power and authority. While in the synagogue, a man possessed by many demons confronted Jesus. Jesus cast the demons out after commanding them not to say who He is. After revealing His power and authority at the synagogue, Simon and Andrew invited Jesus to their home. When they arrived, Simon showed his care for his mother-in-law by telling Jesus she was sick in bed with a fever. Jesus had compassion for the woman, walked to her bed, touched her hand, and helped her arise. He willed for her to be well, and it happened. She served the people in the house. After the Sabbath ended, the entire city of Capernaum showed up at the door. These people wanted Jesus to heal and cast out demons. Some just wanted to see Jesus do miracles. They heard about Him and wanted to see him.

In the above occurrences, Jesus showed He has power and authority over sickness and the spiritual world. He taught Scriptures and called disciples with power and authority. In Mark 1:35-39, Jesus prepared to show His power and authority again. He modeled for the disciples what is most important.

Commune

³⁵And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and prayed there for a time. ³⁶Simon and his companions eagerly searched for Him; ³⁷and they found Him and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” (Mark 1:35-37 [NASB])

Mark wrote of Jesus’ ministry as one encounter quickly followed by another. “In the early morning” meant the morning after the Sabbath. The Sabbath included the hours from 6pm Friday to 6pm Saturday. This means Jesus awoke before dawn on Sunday. He arose from his bed and left Simon’s house. He left to be with his Father privately. Jesus wanted privacy to commune with His Father in prayer before the day got busy. His relationship with the Father was more important to Him than anything else. From reading the New Testament, a person can discern Jesus considered prayer to be important. Sometimes, His disciples joined Him and saw its importance. As their teacher, they noted Jesus secreting away to quiet places to pray. Jesus was holy, yet prayer was important to Him. How much more important should it be to us unholy people?

Mark recorded Simon and his companions eagerly searched for Jesus. They hunted him down in a good sense. Simon begins to show the character that Bible readers and scholars recognize about Him. He is a leader. Simon is also impulsive. He had to hunt for Jesus because He did not tell Simon He aimed to go to a quiet place. Simon felt they must see more people so Jesus could heal them.

Simon’s sense of urgency, Mark relays in verse thirty-seven. When Simon found Jesus, he said to Him, “Everyone is looking for you.” Imagine how Simon felt and how he might have expressed his finding of Jesus. Perhaps, he huffed and put his hands on his hips when he spoke to Jesus. If it was us, would we have huffed and said, “Where were you and why did you leave us?” Consider Simon’s words; he said, “Everyone.” Did all 1000+ people of Capernaum think Jesus lost and so searched for him?

From reading about Simon Peter later in the Bible, we recognize he was impulsive and spoke in exaggeration. When Simon told Jesus he would never deny Him, he was very adamant he would not leave Jesus. Just as adamantly, he denied Jesus to three people, the girl and two men, before the rooster crowed twice. Is it possible in this verse, Simon was excited that his teacher had become popular so quickly? Did he want to show himself to be a disciple of this authoritative and powerful teacher? We do not know Simon’s motivation for his exaggeration and his hurry.

We recognize, after the fact, Jesus came to earth to help all people, and He came in obedience to the Godhead. Jesus, as part of the Godhead, wanted to continue to commune with the other two-Father and Holy Spirit. Jesus modeled ministry for the disciples. It includes time for ministry and time with God. With this thought, Jesus responded to Simon’s urgency.

Herald

³⁸He said to them, “Let’s go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may also preach there, for this is why I came.” ³⁹And He went into their synagogues preaching throughout Galilee and casting out the demons. (Mark 1:38-39 [NASB])

Jesus did not sit back and reflect on the number of people He healed from sickness and demon possession. He did not regale people with how He cast out the legion of demons. Jesus understood why He came to earth. He understood He had not finished His mission. Jesus came to earth at the right time. His ministry was at the right time. People searched for a savior, though the one they thought they needed was not the one Jesus came to be. Jesus explained to Simon and the others who searched with him for what He came to do. He said he came to preach.

Did Jesus come just to preach to the residents of Capernaum? He said they must go somewhere else to the towns nearby. Jesus realized there were always people somewhere else that needed to learn about Him and the salvation He gives. Why? Because He came by the power of God to preach the gospel. “Preach” comes from the Greek word kerusso and means to proclaim the gospel. It means to be a herald of the Good News. Jesus came to save everyone. To do that, each person must hear the gospel. It's not just for a few places. Jesus modeled ministry that reached outward from home to connect with each person in the world. Staying in the comfort of one’s home does not lead to that occurring. Ministry requires going and proclaiming. When did you last herald the good news?

In verse thirty-nine, Jesus continued modeling as He ministered how to go and proclaim. Jesus showed Himself to the Jews first. He met them where they congregated, the synagogues. Jesus showed He was more than a teacher like the scribes who taught in the synagogues. He was a rabbi, a priest in the truest sense. Jesus continued teaching and preaching with power and authority throughout Galilee, the northern-most province of Israel. He continued casting out evil spirits, showing He has power and authority over the spirit world. He did these things because He loves everyone. Jesus did these things because He came to each to set free each captive person. He did these things because He is almighty and omniscient.

Jesus’ life was the example the disciples would recall. As they obeyed the Great Commission of Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20, they would remember Jesus praying and proclaiming. Jesus said in His commissioning of all disciples,

Jesus came up and spoke to them (His disciples), saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. God, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [NASB]

Application and Conclusion

Jesus kept busy proclaiming the fulfillment of God’s time had come. The Messiah was with them in person. With the fulfillment of time, the Romans would crucify Jesus as the Jews requested. This would open the veil between God and humanity so people could know God personally. They would understand God is not just a lawgiver and judge who speaks through the priest. People could experience the removal of the weight of their sins. They would realize the salvation Jesus gives as freedom. Do you take Jesus’ example of being a herald personally? Do you share about the salvation He gives so each person can know Him as their Savior? As a disciple of Jesus, He commissions each person who believes in Him to proclaim the gospel.

Jesus added visual examples of His power. He amazingly healed the sick and cast out demons. Jesus also, in this passage, taught the disciples about the necessity of prayer. Prayer is about having a relationship with God. It quickly should go beyond obedience to an act of love, of wanting to be with the One you love most. Life gets busy; we let it. We let “life” get in the way of relationships, even our relationship with God. Jesus showed we should get away from life to be with God. Why? Because He is our source of life and salvation. God continues each day to give us life. If for no other reason to pray, we should thank God each day for awaking on earth.

Jesus modeled that prayer was more than saying, “Thank you.” Prayer is personal. It should come from our desire to be with God. Prayer is when our heart and spirit call out to His heart for connection with Him. God, through the Son, gives each person the possibility of quenching daily our heart and spirit’s desire. We can commune with God in a soul-satisfying way and never be parched again.

Jesus is more than a model for people. He is the Christ, the Messiah. Prophets foretold He would bear the sins of all people, so those who believe in Him will receive salvation from their sins. These believers will have an eternal relationship with God. God’s heart calls to ours. Our heart yearns for His. We each choose either to turn to God and have our greatest desire filled, or turn away from God and never be fully satisfied. Jesus gives us the freedom to choose a soul-quenching relationship with God.

Do you let life get in the way of a relationship with God?

Jesus shows how to get away from life and have a relationship with Him.

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