Mark 1:29-39
²⁹And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
³⁰Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her.
³¹And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them.
³²When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed.
³³And the whole city had gathered at the door.
³⁴And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
³⁵In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.
³⁶Simon and his companions searched for Him; ³⁷they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
³⁸He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”
³⁹And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
Jesus’ attack on the misery here on earth began with the punishment of the devil, the originator of all problems and sorrow. But then Jesus also tackles the consequences of sin.
The disease disappears when Jesus appears and asserts His authority. He speaks his healing word. At Jesus’ command, the fever leaves the body of Peter’s mother-in-law. Peter was one of his first disciples (Mark 1:29-31).
In this way Jesus shows that diseases do not belong in the Kingdom that He is bringing. Jesus not only liberates us in our spiritual life, but He ultimately also heals our physical, so He is after our total well-being (Compare 1 Timothy 4:8). But He does this for us in His time and in His way (Compare 2 Corinthians 12:7-9; 2 Timothy 4:20).
Here, He is making a clear sign that the Father is working out His salvation, His plan of restoration, which will not be fully completed until His return (Revelation 21:1-5). In this way He brings God’s Kingdom to us in word and in deed.
Furthermore, this sign is so hopeful because it also shows how mild and abundant God is in his grace, and that it is precisely in the new dispensation, that the door to his Kingdom is wide open.
Many may come to Jesus, yes all who need Him and are aware of it (Compare Matthew 11:28-30). Here we see all of Capernaum gathered at the door of Simon and Andrew’s house.
What a privilege for the people of this city to have Jesus in their midst! (Mark 1:32-34). But also what an enormous responsibility. It should not be about the cure.
Healing is a sign that the Lord is our Physician! (Compare Exodus 15:25-26)
All misery came into the world through sin, through our own wrong choice in Adam and Eve. It is only grace from God when we receive healing or restoration.
First and foremost, it is about getting to know God through His Word.
Healing is a sign to that Word. That is why the preaching of Jesus came first. That’s what He was sent to do (Mark 1:38). That was his main task (Compare Mark 1:14).
The same applies to us.
Questions for self study:
- Why must not a cure on sickness be the main object in our prayer, but God’s will, and the honor of Jesus? (Compare Galatians 2:20.)
- What do you learn from verse 35? (Compare Psalm 5:4)
Prayer suggestion:
▪︎ Ask the LORD to teach you to pray according to His will, from pure motives.
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