February 5, 2012                                                         Mark 1:29-39

 

            Today’s passage from the Gospel of Mark ends the first part of Jesus’ public ministry in Capernum.  Following Jesus’ baptism, his temptation in the wilderness, and the call of Simon, Andrew, James, and John to be disciples, they went to Caprunum, where, according to Mark 2:1, Jesus is now making his home.  Throughout the early part of his ministry, Jesus is surrounded by sickness, disease, and distress.  But its interesting to note that he is recognized by the demons as the Holy One of God, but to the people, he is only a miracle worker and itinerant preacher.

 

            In this passage, and throughout his ministry, Jesus is followed incessantly by people seeking healing, and is even hunted down by his own disciples when he tries to find a quiet place to pray.  Mark is signaling here that Jesus’ ministry is taking off like a rocket; a rocket that would have eaten a mere mortal alive.

 

            Four things happen in this passage that Mark uses to signal us that Jesus is indeed the Holy One of God, as so far only the demons seem to recognize.  First, Jesus and the four disciples go to Simon and Andrew’s house, where Simon’s mother-in-law is sick with a fever.  Now, I happen to like my mother-in-law just fine, so I’m not going to insert any lame mother-in-law jokes here.  She is in need of healing here, not humor.  Jesus took her by the hand and raised her up.  Instantly, she was healed, and began to serve them.

 

            At sundown, when the Sabbath officially ended, the townspeople brought to Jesus all who were sick and all who were possessed by demons.  And the whole city turned out to watch.

 

            Well before dawn, we can assume after an exhausting evening of healings, Jesus stole away to a deserted place to pray.  But even at 3:00 a.m. he couldn’t find peace.  Simon and the others searched for him until they found him.  Jesus answered them by refusing to return to town, saying that they must also go to the neighboring towns so he could preach there also.

 

            Today’s passage gives us all the methods that God is using in Jesus to destroy evil.  He won’t do it with brute force and violence like the armies of Rome.  He will do it through actions like those in today’s passage, healing, touching, respecting, calling people from all walks of life to be disciples, praying, and sharing the Good News of the Gospel.

 

            Preaching, teaching, and healing are always connected in Jesus’ ministry.  But this passage also points out a danger that Jesus recognized.  The townspeople wanted Jesus to stay.  But only for personal gain.  The townspeople wanted to get their illnesses healed and their personal needs met, but even while Jesus had compassion for everyone, the focus of his ministry was on leading people to repent and become disciples. 

 

            Part of Jesus’ ministry was to provide healing and comfort for those who were sick, for those who were troubled.  But another part of his ministry was to challenge those who were comfortable in life to set aside their pursuit of worldly possessions and follow him.  I think that is why Jesus left that one town.  He had helped all those who needed help, and had no desire to help those who already lived comfortable lives.

            Where are you in life right now?  Are you afflicted with sickness, with brokenness, with family troubles, with financial problems?  Come to the altar to receive God’s grace and healing.  Or are you comfortable in life, with everything you need and a lot of what you want?  Come to the altar to discover new riches that come from setting it all aside to follow God.

 

            Because when we answer the call to become a Christian and follow Jesus as his disciples, it is wrong to talk about: “What God is doing for me.”  Instead, when we answer the call to follow Jesus, our concern is, “What God is doing through us.”  As we experience the healing grace from God this morning that comes from receiving this sacred meal, let us then leave this place following Jesus out into the world, proclaiming the Good News, and inviting people to a new and renewed relationship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

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