Mark 1:29-39
After Jesus and his
disciples left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with
James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they
told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up.
Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
1. This is such an amazing account.
Notice some things we see here.
2. Jesus and his disciples left the synagogue. Jesus knew the importance of attendance to
God’s house. It was his habit. So it should be ours. To do so is contrary to the habit and nature
of the Savior. David said in Ps 122:1, I
was glad when they said lets us go to the house of the Lord. The book of Hebrews tells us not to forsake the
assembling of ourselves together.
3. Simon and Andrew lived in the same home. This is a picture of Jewish life. Often multiple families lived in the same
house. The brothers were partners in
fishing. We know that Peter was older
than Andrew but Andrew brought Peter to Jesus.
4. They came to the house with James and John. Remember these are the first disciples. We also know from the book of John that John
the beloved was a follower of John the Baptist first and he came to Jesus when
he heard John the Baptist say that Jesus was the Lamb of God. John and James were called the Sons of
Thunder because they wanted to bring fire on a town in Samaria who refused Jesus
hospitality. They also sought a position
on Jesus’ right and left hand in the coming kingdom.
5. When they came into the house they found Simon Peter’s mother sick
in bed with a fever. Two things we
learn. Peter had a wife and that his
mother in law lived with them. This
meant that Peter and Andrew were fairly successful in their business. Peter had family to support even though he
would dedicate the next three years to Jesus.
Must have been quite a balancing act.
It was also a sacrifice and strain on this family to be a disciple of
Christ and the demands it made. Can you
imagine the talk from the neighbors about Peter doing this?
6. They told Jesus about it.
They went to the right person.
When you have a problem, go to Jesus first. Tell Him and trust Him. These boys knew that Jesus is the answer, do
you? Even the smallest things we should
bring to Jesus. My common problem is
losing things. So often I look first and
pray second. I should pray first and
then look. So easy to forget in the heat
of the moment.
7. Jesus came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. He picked her up and set her on her
feet. This was action. You have to help others. You have to lift them up. You have to help those who cannot help
themselves. This is faith in action. The fever left her. Of course the healer was in the house. Remember Jesus is our healer and by His
stripes we are healed. No sickness,
affliction or disease can defeat Him.
8. This shows how tough this lady was.
One moment sick in bed the next serving dinner. That is amazing. When you are a servant nothing is going to
keep you from serving. Love it.
That evening, at sundown,
they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole
city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various
diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to
speak, because they knew him. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he
got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his
companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is
searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so
that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.”
And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and
casting out demons.
1. So they ate and in they brought all who were sick or possessed with
demons. Not all sickness is demonic but
it can be caused by this. Discernment
helps us determine this. Gift of
knowledge, things being revealed not known, gift of discernment or things seen
in the spiritual realm and the word of wisdom which enables us to make the
right decision and course of action.
2. The whole city was the door.
Jesus had caused quite a stir.
The physician was in the house.
Jesus is our healer and great physician.
When God is moving in your life you will not have to go and find people
they will come to you. Sometimes you go
but always you love, help, heal and encourage.
This would have taken a long time.
3. Two things. First, Jesus all
cured many who were sick with various diseases.
One fit does not fit all but those who were sick were cured. Secondly, Jesus cast out the demons. Demons will not leave on their own, or go
willingly. They need to be bound, broken
and cast out. Jesus also did not allow
them to speak because they knew him.
Demons know who is of God and who is not. When the sons of Sceva in Acts 19, tried to
cast the demons out of the man in Ephesus.
They responded Jesus we know, Paul we know, but who are you? Jesus also did not let them manifest because
this brings attention to them. You do
not want the devil displaying his wares.
Talk about man in Yellowknife.
4. In the morning before while it was dark Jesus went out to a deserted
place to pray. Jesus knew the importance
of prayer. It was his time of
rejuvenation, refreshing, keeping in contact with the father, getting fresh
vision and insight. Jesus knew he needed
to get away from the business of life.
You need to reconnect, refocus and put your compass back on course. Jesus chose early in the morning because it
knew the importance of prayer at the start of the day. Then you have the Lord with you moment by moment
and you have divine help and protection throughout the day.
5. Simon and his companions hunted for Jesus, we need to be searching
for Jesus in all His glory, character nature and essence. When they found Him they said everyone is
searching for you. I am going to change
this statement. Everyone needs to be
looking for Jesus. He is the only
Savior, healer, baptizer and soon coming King.
These people were looking for Jesus to meet their needs, wants, desires
and reasons. Some people look at Jesus
as a failsafe, or they add Him to their religious experience, and as a
political asset like many Presidents. Others
seek him when they are in trouble. There
are multitudes of wrong reasons and only one right reason. You seek Him as Savior because you are sinner
and need to be saved.
6. Jesus did something opposite to what His disciples expected. He said lets go to neighboring towns that he
may proclaim the message there. That is
what He was called to do. Jesus knew why
he came and he was focused. He did heal,
drive out demons but He never lost focus of why He was there. Let us not lose our way. Keep focused.
Go into your world and tell others about Jesus and love them as we have
been loved. Don’t get distracted by the
many things around us. Do the will of
our Father.
7. Jesus then went through out Galilee preaching His message. Repent, the Kingdom of heaven is at hand in
their synagogues. Remember Jesus loved
the house of the Lord and he gave the message about the Lord there. He also drove out demons. Interesting thought were the demons in the
synagogues? I know demons love religion
Wikipedia says there are 4300 major religions in the world. So demons love religion. They hate Christ but love religion. Let us never become religious unless it is
pure religion. Taking care of the widows
and orphans and staying unpolluted by the world. Be followers of Christ.
.jpg)
.jpg)
