Podcasts about simon's mother in law

Mark 1:21-29 NIV - They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “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!”“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.The 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.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Mark 1:21-29 NIV - They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “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!”“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.The 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.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Sermon Text: Mark 1:29-39   When we participate in intercessory prayer, what is it that we do?  In our reading today, Jesus shows us how he interacts with the sick and suffering.  Not only was Simon's mother-in-law cured, but she was restored to her vocation.  In this way, we see a difference between curing and healing.  And when we understand the difference, our eyes can be opened to new ways of seeing the work of God in the lives of others.   Want to support the work of St. Mary's? https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-...

Reading 1 Jb 7:1-4, 6-7 Job spoke, saying:Is not man's life on earth a drudgery?Are not his days those of hirelings?He is a slave who longs for the shade,a hireling who waits for his wages.So I have been assigned months of misery,and troubled nights have been allotted to me.If in bed I say, "When shall I arise?"then the night drags on;I am filled with restlessness until the dawn.My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle;they come to an end without hope.Remember that my life is like the wind;I shall not see happiness again.Reading 2 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23 Brothers and sisters:If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast,for an obligation has been imposed on me,and woe to me if I do not preach it!If I do so willingly, I have a recompense,but if unwillingly, then I have been entrusted with a stewardship.What then is my recompense?That, when I preach,I offer the gospel free of chargeso as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.Although I am free in regard to all,I have made myself a slave to allso as to win over as many as possible.To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak.I have become all things to all, to save at least some.All this I do for the sake of the gospel,so that I too may have a share in it.Gospel Mk 1:29-39 On leaving the synagogueJesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.They immediately told him about her.He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.Then the fever left her and she waited on them.When it was evening, after sunset,they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.The whole town was gathered at the door.He cured many who were sick with various diseases,and he drove out many demons,not permitting them to speak because they knew him.Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.Simon and those who were with him pursued himand on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villagesthat I may preach there also.For this purpose have I come."So he went into their synagogues,preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Fairview Community Church's Sunday worship service on January 28, 2024. Mark 1:29-39 (Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law). Sermon by Rev. Dr. Monica Corsaro: "SILENCE"  

In this episode, we follow Jesus and his disciples as they navigate their spiritual journey, witnessing miracles and confronting pressures of the world along the way. This compelling narrative begins with Jesus leaving the synagogue to enter the house of Simon and Andrew. Here, we find Simon's mother-in-law, ill with fever. In a striking act of kindness, Jesus takes her by the hand, lifts her up, and the fever departs from her, illustrating the power of faith and the transforming love of God. As the evening approaches, the scene shifts as the whole city gathers around, each person beset with illness or afflicted by demons. Undeterred by the tumult, Jesus extends his healing powers, curing many of their diseases, and exorcising demons. In these remarkable acts, we see Jesus's compassion and the divine powers entrusted upon him. Yet amidst the miracles, an important message resonates, reminding us of the true essence of the gospel. Following the tumultuous events, Jesus retreats to a deserted place to seek solace and to pray, which links to the contemporary concept of 'forest bathing'. Similar to this mindful practice amidst nature, Jesus's retreat into the wilderness is viewed as a means to reconnect with God and restore spiritual equilibrium. Herein, we uncover the age-old wisdom about seeking spiritual restoration amidst nature, away from the sensory overstimulation that typically engulfs human civilization. The frantic quest of the disciples to find Jesus in the wilderness captures the worldly temptation of busyness that often distracts us from the peace and wholeness offered by God. This episode calls out the perils of being bound to the pressures of worldly gains, material possessions, and social status while losing sight of spiritual well-being. In the end, the narrative returns to an image of selfless service, distinguishing it from work—a profound distinction that stems from one's connection with God. The gospel concludes with a beautiful image of restoration and resurrection, which allows Peter's mother-in-law to serve selflessly. This transformation into a life of service, which bears witness to the gospel, is what every encounter with Jesus invites us to. Ultimately, the message implores us to seek wholeness and restoration in God and resist the world's temptations to busyness and distraction. By carving out moments of silence, by taking a restful walk in the wilderness, or by experiencing the healing wonders of 'forest bathing', we can open our heart to God's love, embrace the message of resurrection, and transform our lives into a meaningful service of others.

Mark 1:29-39As soon as they 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.That evening, at sunset, 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. The Super Bowl is next week and my household is rather excited. Some of us for the game and others of us for the commercials, Usher at Half Time, and most importantly the Taylor Swift appearances. I have always been a football fan, I played growing up and in high school and have always loved watching Colts games with my family. Recently, I listened to a podcast from the Athletic on Andrew Luck. I am guessing most of you are familiar with him, but for those not, Luck was the Colts first round draft pick in 2012. We had a dismal season in 2011, we lost Peyton Manning, but there was all this hype around a young, nerdy, very athletic quarterback out of Stanford. Despite the enormous pressure Luck faced, he delivered. Immediately, he made an impact: throwing touchdowns, taking hits and getting right back up, even taking the Colts to multiple playoff appearances. At times, Luck seemed more God-like than human on the football field. Everything was pointing to the Colts making a superbowl run, that is until August 24, 2019. To the shock and disappointment of many, the 29 year old, with potentially some of his best years ahead of him, decided to retire, to move on from football. Over the last four years of playing, Luck went through a vicious cycle of injury, pain, rehab. He was amazing to watch, but it came at the cost of his body: Torn cartilage in 2 ribs, partially torn abdomen, a lacerated kidney, at least 1 concussion, a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, and a calf/ankle issue that he'd been dealing with. At the press conference announcing his retirement, Luck said “I feel quite exhausted and quite tired. It's been tiring. I feel tired, and not just in the physical sense.” But in the very next breath, Luck said "I feel so much clarity [about this] and so grateful for the experiences..." At that press conference, Luck showed us that he wasn't just a football player, or some superhuman athlete. He was human. And even though he was beloved by fans, coaches, and this city, Luck discerned that if he continued playing football it would come at the cost of his body, his family, and the life he wanted. So he moved in a different direction. It was a remarkable decision. So what do Andrew Luck and Jesus have in common? They show us what it means to be human: That is, they're exhausted, they discern what to do next, and with great clarity they move in a different direction. The last five weeks we have explored stories that show us who Jesus is and what he is all about. Think of the stories we've explored: the magi calling Jesus as King of the Jews, Nathaniel saying he is the Son of God, fishermen dropping everything to follow him, and he can even cast out unclean spirits. But this week we are shown something different.This week our story picks up on the same day Jesus cast out that unclean spirit. He and the disciples are just leaving the synagogue as word spreads about the miracle. They go to Simon and Andrew's house. Right away, Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law of a fever. Amazed, the disciples then bring to him everyone they know who is sick or demon possessed for healing. The whole city has gathered outside this little house to see the spectacle! In just one day, Jesus had taught in the synagogue, performed his first exorcism and healing, and then healed and cast out many that same night. Jesus had to be exhausted. So that next morning, before the sun is up, Jesus awakes, retreats to a deserted place alone, and prays. And right there we are shown something different about Jesus than in all the other epiphany stories. We are shown that Jesus is human. He hit a limit. He was tired. He needed time alone; to recharge. He needed to pray, to listen to God, to discern what came next, before he was bombarded with the demands of the people around him. And that time didn't last long. The disciples hunted for him, frantically searching. And when they found him, they informed Jesus that everyone was looking for him. As if to say, “what in the world are you doing out here? People are looking for you, you've got to heal them”. Yet, likely to their shock and disappointment, Jesus said “Let's move on to other towns; there's more preaching and healing needed. After all, that's what I came to do.” Jesus had clarity about what the next move was in his ministry. He knew he wouldn't be able to do what he was called to do if he just stayed there.This life demands a great deal from us. People and powers try to pull us in all sorts of directions, telling us who we should be and what we should do. They want all that you can give and then ask for more. We will get tired, overwhelmed, exhausted even. It's only human. And it's so easy to just continue on doing what's asked of you, even at the cost of yourself and the kind of life God really desires for you. Which is why, just like Jesus, we too need time to recharge, to pray, to listen to God, to discern what comes next, before the bombardment of demands continues. In that time and space, God gives clarity about what we are called to and gives our weary selves power to do it. It might be in a different direction than you thought, it might come as a shock or disappointment to others. But, by faith, we trust we will be headed where God is leading and giving us strength along the way. Everyone will faint and grow weary as Isaiah says; but those who wait for the Lord, those who go off to pray, to listen, to discern, will have renewed strength. And just as we need time of discernment and prayer in our individual lives, we need it in our life together, too. We as a community will feel the pull to do so many different ministries, serve in so many ways. The world around us will say we need to be more like this church or that organization or do more programs. It can be overwhelming, exhausting even. But Jesus shows us another way. A way we are trying to follow with our Holy Conversations that begin today.It's vital to our mission and ministry that we pray together. That we listen to each other, to our leadership, and most importantly to where we hear God at work in all of this. Where, to what, and to whom is God leading us? Who needs to come alongside us? What is the need that calls us to serve in new ways and in new places? There is energy and excitement in this place. So now is the time to create the space and time for us to discern together; to dream about what comes next.Yet in all of this what doesn't change is who we are and what our ministry is. Jesus went on to the neighboring towns, but he still preached the gospel and healed people; that part never changed. No matter what comes next for us, we remain a community of disciples offering grace, no strings attached. We will continue to worship, learn about, and serve the everlasting God who does not faint or grow weary, but gives power to the tired and strengthens the weak. And so we pray that God will guide these Holy Conversations, giving us clarity to God's call, and empowering us to do the ministry that is before us. Amen.

We have been reading through the first chapter of Mark, and in today's reading Jesus and the first four disciples go to the house of Simon and Andrew. There they find Simon's mother-in-law is sick with a fever. Jesus heals her. Then that evening, everyone in the town gathers in front of Simon's house, and Jesus heals many who are ill or afflicted with demons. The next morning Jesus goes out by himself to find a deserted place where he can pray. Thus he makes himself unavailable to the crowds and available to God, to abide in God's love and support. It is an example for us. Although God is with us at all times, to secure time to be alone with God, to express our love for God and to feel God's love for us, is critical. Amazingly, after that time of communion with God Jesus did not return to Capernaum to heal people. Instead, he insisted that his mission has been clarified in that one-on-one with God, and his mission is to spread the Good News to other people and towns. As individuals and as a congregation, we must follow the example of Jesus to be people of prayer.

Welcome to the Word at St Francis, a welcoming and inclusive parish community coming to you from E 96th St in New York City. The Gospel is Mk 1:29-39: On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you." He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Epiphany 5 – Healing Service – 02/04/2024   Today we are going to do something new. This is what the time of transition is about, trying new things. Can I see a show of hands, how many have ever been to a healing service? By the end of the service today, you can all say that you have.   I remember my aunt and uncle taking me to one in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It was after Christmas and I was supposed to play Christmas carols. We did not get to that until later in the evening. There was a pastor laying hands on people and praying for them. Sometimes they fell backward, and people had to catch them.   Even at my age at the time, I wondered what was going on. I have no doubts that some of the people may have been healed. The Holy Spirit can definitely move people in this way. I would dare say that most of us would not be comfortable with this and wonder if it was partly a show.   This is not what I am expecting to have happen here this morning, but that is not up to me. I do believe that the Holy Spirit has been, is and will be alive and active here. The question is what do we expect when we pray for healing?   We can ask God to do anything. Often we would like to determine God's answer. When it doesn't come out the way we want it to, we can get angry, disappointed and may even think that God doesn't care. It is easy to forget that God never promised to fix everything. What God promised is to be with us.   God has not said, only ask for certain things. God does listen to all of our requests. Depending on what shape we are when we ask, will determine the options that we are able to see ho9w God is answering   We can learn early on in our lives that we do not always get what we want. Parents do their best to give their children what they need. What is needed changes definition depending on who is defining it.   As we learn to trust God, we also learn that God gives us what we need and not always what we want. I remember a story about a man who was running an orphanage in England. They sat down to eat breakfast in the morning and had no milk. The man prayed and thanked God for the milk. They finished praying and a milk truck broke down in front of the home and they then had milk.   I believe that God always answer prayers. In the case of the milk, it was what they needed, and the man thanked God before they even had it. The man believed that God would meet their needs. It could have been in a different way. In this case it was what was needed.When we pray for healing and are able to trust God, we are better to able to see the answers. If we are stuck on what we want, it may take us a while to see God's answer. For me the key is trust In the bible we learn that God gave to people what they needed, not always what they wanted.   In our Gospel lesson for today, Simon's mother in law had a fever and was in bed. They told Jesus at once. I believe that they had an expectation that Jesus could heal her. and he did. Jesus came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Immediately she began to serve them.    This was Jesus' first healing in the Gospel of Mark. By that evening word had passed and there were many people waiting to be healed. The whole city was gathered around the door. Jesus cured many and cast out demons. This was Jesus proclaiming the kingdom of God.   Every one of us has times in our life that we need to be healed. I want to define healing this morning as reconnecting with God in Jesus Christ. As human beings we are broken people. We are not perfect. Thus, we connect, disconnect and then feel the need to reconnect with God.   This is not to say that healing could not happen here in this place at this time. Some of you have specific healing requests. Again, part of this healing service is to remind us that God in Jesus Christ walks with us in every part of our lives. When we are able to trust God to give us what we need, a healing has taken place. We have connected with God in Jesus Christ. As I lay hands on you today, may you also hear God saying I love you my child. Rest in that love.   Today we are being invited to reconnect with God and receive a healing. God will decide what healing we receive. Our lives become so busy and sometimes exhausting that we are called to stop. God in Jesus Christ is always standing ready to take our hand and lift us up, just as he did with the woman in today's Gospel lesson.   It is in this reconnection, this lifting us up, that brings us new life and vitality and an assurance of God's love for each one of us.   Let us pray: Gracious God, we thank you for always listening and answering our prayers. We desire to connect with at this time and place. May your Spirit help us to trust that you know what we need. Thank you for always walking with us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany Bible Readings Isaiah 40:27-31, Mark 1:29-39 , 1 Peter 5:6-11 Worship Folder Pastor Paul A. Tullberg Sermon text: Mark 1:29-39 Jesus Heals Many 29 They left the synagogue and went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was lying in bed, sick with a fever. Without delay they told Jesus about her. 31 He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening, when the sun had set, the people kept bringing to him all who were sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door. 34 He healed many people who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But he did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who he was. Jesus Preaches in Galilee 35 Jesus got up early in the morning, while it was still dark, and went out. He withdrew to a solitary place and was praying there. 36 Simon and his companions searched for him, 37 and, when they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 He told them, “Let's go somewhere else, to the neighboring villages, so that I can preach there too. In fact, that is why I have come.” 39 Then he went throughout the whole region of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Take a Moment to recall something from today's message. Ask Jesus to create for you opportunities to use your words, activities and thoughts to glorify Him this week. We value your friendship and the opportunity to share the love of Jesus together with you!

Welcome to worship! Today we hear of Jesus healing Simon's mother-in-law - not just of fever, but of all that weighs her down. In our lives, as we hear Jesus calling us to follow, we ask for the same!

+ Holy Gospel according to St. Mark 1: 29 – 39 On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you." He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee. The Gospel of the Lord

Readings: Job 7:1–4, 6–7 Psalm 147:1–6 1 Corinthians 9:16–19, 22–23 Mark 1:29–39 In today's First Reading, Job describes the futility of life before Christ. His lament reminds us of the curse of toil and death placed upon Adam following his original sin (see Genesis 3:17–19). Men and women are like slaves seeking shade, unable to find rest. Their lives are like the wind that comes and goes. But, as we sing in today's Psalm, He who created the stars promised to heal the brokenhearted and gather those lost in exile from Him (see Isaiah 11:12; 61:1). We see this promise fulfilled in today's Gospel. Simon's mother-in-law is like Job's toiling, hopeless humanity. She is laid low by affliction but too weak to save herself. But as God promised to take His chosen people by the hand (see Isaiah 42:6), Jesus grasps her by the hand and helps her up. The word translated “help” is actually Greek for “raising up.” The same verb is used when Jesus commands a dead girl to arise (see Mark 5:41–42). It's used again to describe His own resurrection (see Mark 14:28; 16:7). What Jesus has done for Simon's mother-in-law, He has done for all humanity—raised all of us who lay dead through our sins (see Ephesians 2:5). Notice all the words of totality and completeness in the Gospel. The whole town gathers; all the sick are brought to Him. He drives out demons in the whole of Galilee. Everyone is looking for Christ. We too have found Him. By our baptism, He healed and raised us to live in His presence (see Hosea 6:1–2). Like Simon's mother-in-law, there is only one way we can thank Him for the new life He has given us. We must rise to serve Him and His gospel. Our lives must be our thanksgiving, as Paul describes in today's Epistle. We must tell everyone the good news, the purpose for which Jesus has come—that others, too, may have a share in this salvation.

Preaching for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mary Anne Sladich-Lantz offers a reflection on healing: "Certainly, each one of us could use a dose of healing in our lives. You know where that is inside of yourself. Our whole world needs healing, too. Brokenness and division is everywhere. Can we take the very human interaction between Jesus and Simon's mother-in-law as a model of how to be a healing presence wherever brokenness resides." Mary Anne Sladich-Lantz has been a leader of Mission and Formation for Providence St. Joseph Health for over 25 years. In her various roles within Providence St. Joseph Health, she has worked with leaders, physicians and all caregivers on personal, spiritual and professional development. Born and raised in Anaconda, MT, she graduated from the University of Providence with a BA in Sociology/Psychology. She holds a Master's degree in Theology and Personal Spirituality from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. Mary Anne and her husband Reggie enjoy the great outdoors and the big sky of Montana. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/02042024 to learn more about Mary Anne, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Jesus had his priorities straight. In this Gospel he heals Peter's mother-in-law and then the whole town comes out to be healed. But afterward, what does Jesus do? He goes away to a place of quiet and solitude and prays. We can learn great things from this lesson.from Mark 1:29-39On leaving the synagogueJesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.They immediately told him about her.He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.Then the fever left her and she waited on them. ...Read the full Gospel passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020424.cfmHeart to Heart Catholic Media MinistryInspire Believers. Evangelize Seekers. Foster Disciples.--https://htoh.us/subscribehttps://htoh.us/donate

We continue to move through Mark at a breakneck speed: John the Baptist, Jesus' baptism, Jesus vs Satan in the wilderness, Jesus teaching in the synagogue with authority before casting out a demon; all in the first chapter! Now, Jesus enters Simon's mother-in-law's house to heal her from a fever. Word gets out, and the entire city descends looking for a piece of Jesus' miracles. In this week's conversation, Kiri, Max, and Mason ask Lars Olson:The disciples were married?!If Jesus says He came to proclaim the message, why does He continue to cure sicknesses and cast out demons? What's the difference between Jesus the miracle worker and Jesus the preacher?COURSESDo you like what you learn in the conversations on Scripture First? Luther House of Study has numerous interactive courses available for free on subjects ranging from the Lutheran Catechism to core Christian beliefs. Visit lutherhouseofstudy.org to see their available courses, create an account to track your progress, and dive deeper into your learning.SING TO THE LORDListen to Luther House of Study's newest podcast: Sing to the Lord! Martin Luther said, "Next to the word of God, the art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." To understand the importance of hymnody in the Lutheran church, Lars Olson and Mason Van Essen sit down with Zachary Brockhoff each week to discuss the lectionary's hymns, their meaning and history, and how the music preaches the Gospel.

Gospel Mark 1:29-39 On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee. Reflection Nothing is clearer in the Ministry of Jesus that he had this power over the power of evil. His very presence drew it out of people. And at the same time we see this awesome power, we see also a tension in Jesus, knowing that this is a power that he wants them to understand. They one day will possess, but he wants to teach them that. He wants to preach to them. And so he leaves the town that still had many people longing for a healing and said, I need to go and talk to my father about the core of my work. I want to preach. I want them to understand the word, not just the power, but the plan of God for us. Closing Prayer Father, there's so much more than just being empowered to overcome the weaknesses that we have. Give us this wisdom that we ask for. It's the wisdom to know the role that you've given to each of us and to be able to accomplish it, not through mighty signs necessarily, but through a deep and profound wisdom that can only come to us through you. And we ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary TimeMk 1:29-39 On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

+ Holy Gospel according to Saint Mark 1: 29 – 39 On leaving the synagogue, Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you." He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come." So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee. The Gospel of the Lord

On leaving the synagogueJesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.They immediately told him about her.He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.Then the fever left her and she waited on them.When it was evening, after sunset,they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.The whole town was gathered at the door.He cured many who were sick with various diseases,and he drove out many demons,not permitting them to speak because they knew him.Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.Simon and those who were with him pursued himand on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villagesthat I may preach there also.For this purpose have I come.”So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Mk 1:29-39 On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn,  he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons  throughout the whole of Galilee.

Join us as we explore the transformative encounter in Mark 1:29-31, where Jesus visits Simon and Andrew's house to heal Simon's mother-in-law. Discover the profound symbolism as Jesus takes her by the hand, helps her up, and restores her to health. This powerful message highlights the immediacy of God's response to our needs and the restoration He brings to our lives. Don't miss the revelation that proves God is consistently at work, ready to step into your situation. For more information about Bishop Brian Gallardo or Lifegate Church, please visit www.briangallardo.com or www.lifegatekc.org.

Talk 9 Mark 3:1-12 Defying the Pharisees and dealing with demons Welcome to Talk 9 in our series on Mark's gospel. Today we'll be looking at Mark 3:1-12. In previous talks we have seen how Jesus came proclaiming the Kingdom of God (1:14-15) and demonstrating with miraculous signs his authority over demons and disease. In chapter 1 he casts an evil spirit out of a man in the synagogue at Capernaum, heals Simon's mother-in-law of a fever, and cures a man with leprosy, and in chapter 2 he heals a paralysed man, telling him first that his sins are forgiven.   We have also seen how his authority did not go unchallenged, particularly by the Pharisees, who understood full well the implications of the claims Jesus was making – his right to forgive sins, and to be the Lord of the Sabbath, which entitled him to heal on the Sabbath and to interpret the law of Moses very differently from them. Now, as we turn to the first six verses of chapter 3, we see Jesus once again antagonising his critics by healing on the Sabbath day.   Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shrivelled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shrivelled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone." 4 Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent. 5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.   1 Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shrivelled hand was there. Mark doesn't tell us which synagogue it was, but it may well have been the one in Capernaum again. The man's disability would have made him unable to work, particularly if, as early tradition has it, he was a plasterer.   2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Bearing in mind that there are no chapter divisions in the original text, some of them almost certainly refers to the Pharisees who had challenged Jesus at the end of chapter 2. They had clearly rejected his explanation of why his disciples were allowed to pick grain on the Sabbath, and would have hated his claim to be Lord of the Sabbath. To acknowledge the claims of Jesus would have undoubtedly required not only a massive shift in what they believed, but also a complete change in their lifestyle. People who are unwilling to repent will often look for a reason to find fault with Jesus – or with his followers as we saw in the last chapter.   3 Jesus said to the man with the shrivelled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone." Why did Jesus say this? Did he want to draw attention to the miracle? By asking the man to stand up in front of everyone, he would certainly ensure that all those present would witness it. His miracles were signs validating his message about the kingdom of God and he longed for people to believe it. But at this early stage in his ministry, as we shall see later, it seems unlikely that Jesus would have called the man forward just to draw attention to the miracle.   Alternatively, from the question he asks next in verse 4, it seems possible that he did it as a direct challenge to the attitude and teaching of the Pharisees. What better way to expose their hypocrisy and to demonstrate the truth that the meeting of human need is more important than the ritualistic observance of the Sabbath, than to show his compassion by working a miracle of healing on the Sabbath day in front of the entire congregation?   But more probably, in my view, Jesus called the man forward for the benefit of the man himself. In the culture of the day, it would have been natural for people with disabilities to want to keep themselves hidden, partly because many people were revolted by any form of deformity, and partly because these afflictions were widely regarded as having resulted from personal sin. Here, as with the healing of the woman with curvature of the spine in Luke 13, Jesus' calling the person to the front was a declaration that their disability was nothing to be ashamed of, and their years of embarrassment were now over. It would also encourage their faith.   4 Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent. So far the Pharisees have said nothing, but Jesus knows what they're thinking, so he anticipates their challenge by asking them a question. The Pharisees had so many man-made rules about the Sabbath that it was virtually impossible to do anything! But to do nothing when someone is in need is to do evil. If anyone knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them (James 4:17). Jesus was the only sinless person who has ever lived, and because he had the power to heal the man it would have been wrong for him not to do it. But he not only committed no sin, he was also never guilty of a sin of omission. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38). Surely the Pharisees knew he was right, but they refused to admit it.   5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Notice the strong emotions of Jesus here. He is angry and he is deeply distressed. It's not wrong to be angry. It's right to be angry about injustice, about cruelty, about hypocrisy, about anything and everything that spoils the world we live in. And God is angry about sin because he loves us, and sin is the root cause of all that's wrong in the world.   But here Jesus is not just angry. He is deeply distressed. He grieves over the hardness of human hearts, yes, even over the Pharisees' stubborn hearts. His anger is mixed with love. He is distressed because he knows there is no hope for those who reject him. Hear the distress in his voice as he weeps over Jerusalem:   O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing (Matthew 23:37).   The simple fact is, we all have a choice. To believe Jesus or not. The man with the shrivelled hand was completely and immediately made whole because he chose to believe Jesus. The Pharisees were lost because they chose not to.   6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. We don't know why the Pharisees were so opposed to Jesus. Were they jealous of his popularity? Did they hate anyone who didn't agree with their point of view? Was their social position threatened by Jesus' radical teaching? Or did his responses to their criticism make them look stupid? Whatever the reason, their opposition reached a point where they began to plot how they could kill him. They were prepared to break the moral law contained in the Ten Commandments to defend their interpretation of relatively minor regulations regarding the observance of the Sabbath!   7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. 8 When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. 9 Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. 10 For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. 11 Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." 12 But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.   7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. 8 When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.   The Jewish religious may have rejected him, but crowds of ordinary people were coming from far and wide because they heard all he was doing. Miracles, especially miracles of healing, always attract a crowd. We saw in chapter one how, when Jesus cast an evil spirit out of a man in the synagogue at Capernaum, news about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee (1:28). The people brought to Jesus all who are ill and demon possessed (1:32). After the healing of the leper the people came to him from everywhere (1:45). In chapter 2 they gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left… (2:2). And so it goes on throughout the earthly ministry of Jesus.   And it continues in the book of Acts where, in 1:1 Luke refers to the record in his Gospel of all that Jesus began to do and to teach. Through the ministry of his disciples Jesus was to continue to do and teach as they were empowered by the Holy Spirit. Miracles like speaking in tongues and healings drew thousands under the sound of the gospel. And they still do so today, except where cynicism and unbelief are rife in society (cf. Mark 6:5-6 where even Jesus could do no miracles in his home town because of their lack of faith).   Of course, as we have seen in previous talks, although miracles may draw the crowds, they do not necessarily lead to repentance. Some come out of curiosity, others because they are desperate for a solution to their problem, but not all are grateful, as we see in the story of the ten lepers. So, what is the purpose of miracles? They demonstrate God's love and compassion. They manifest his power. They confirm the message of the gospel. They make it easier for people to repent and believe. And they vindicate God's righteous judgment on all who, having experienced them, persist in their refusal to repent.   9 Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. This is not the only reference in the Gospels to Jesus teaching from a boat. The reason given here is to keep the people from crowding him. It would also have had the added advantage that more than those immediately next to him would be able to hear his message. Living by the sea I have often noticed on a calm day how much farther sound carries over water than on land.   It's interesting, too, that the disciples still had access to a boat.  Perhaps Zebedee, the father of James and John was still in the fishing business. The fishermen had forsaken everything to follow him, but God still had a purpose for the knowledge and experience they had acquired before their conversion.  Our natural talents, as well as any supernatural gifts he may entrust to us, can be very valuable in contributing to the spread of the message of the gospel.   10 For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. Of course, Jesus was not afraid to touch or be touched by people with diseases. We have already seen how he touched the man with leprosy without fear of contagion. But we also know that he was able to heal at a distance, something well understood by the Roman centurion In Matthew 8, and the Syro-Phoenician woman in Mark 7.   11 Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, "You are the Son of God." Notice the word whenever. Jesus cast out many evil spirits, but they all, without exception, acknowledged who he was. And they knew that he had power over them:   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! (Mark 1:24 and Luke 4:34)   He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me! (Mark 5:7 and Luke 8:28)   They address him as Jesus of Nazareth, but they know that he is far more than a man from Nazareth. He is the Holy One of God. He is Son of the Most High God. They know that he has power to destroy them. As James, the Lord's brother, tells us, Even the demons believe.., and shudder (James 2:19). Had James been present sometimes when Jesus had cast out demons and seen them cower before him? We don't know, but whenever they saw him they fell down before him. And the day is coming when at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow… (Philippians 2: 9-11).   How did the evil spirits know who Jesus was? Because before Satan and his minions had rebelled against God and were cast out of Heaven they had known him as the Son of God through whom and for whom they were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers, or rulers or authorities, all things were created  through him and for him (Colossians 1:16). No wonder they shudder in his presence.   12 But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was Jesus refused to accept the testimony of demons, even though what they were saying was true. Before we attempt to answer why, we need to bear in mind that it was not only demons that Jesus told to be silent. We've already seen in Mark 1:44 how he tells the leper he has healed, See that you don't tell this to anyone. In 5:43 he tells Jairus not to let anyone know about how Jesus has raised his daughter to life. In 7:36, after the healing of the man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, he says the same thing. In 8:30 after Peter's confession that Jesus is the Messiah, and in 9:9, after their experience of the transfiguration, he even tells his disciples not to tell anyone about him.   So, although, in the case of demons, Jesus may have ordered them to be silent as they were hardly reliable character witnesses, this would not account for why he told the people and his disciples to be silent. One explanation that's frequently offer to this question, often referred to as the Messianic secret, is that if Jesus were openly identified as the Messiah the people would have probably attempted to crown him as their king, which was not, of course, in line with the reason he had come.   This may well be correct, but in my view another explanation is far more compelling. It's clear that the restrictions Jesus imposed on his disciples were only temporary. In Mark 9:9, after his transfiguration, Jesus tells his disciples to tell no one who he was until he had risen from the dead. And in Acts 1:8 he tells them – and us – to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth.   So the restrictions he placed on telling others about him were temporary. But why? The answer surely lies in a combination of the two last points we have mentioned. The timing wasn't right for the majority of people to know who he was, because if they did, they would want to make him the wrong kind of king and this could disrupt the years of training the disciples would need to fulfil their role of spreading the gospel after Jesus had returned to Heaven.   But that leads us to the subject of our next talk when we shall see how Jesus delegates his authority to the apostles he has chosen and gives them authority to heal the sick and cast out demons.

Talk 5   Mark 1:29-45 Miracles of healing in Capernaum and beyond   Welcome to Talk 5 in our series on Mark's Gospel. Today we'll be looking at Mark 1:29-45. We'll begin by reading verses 29-31.   29. As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30.  Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.   As we saw last time, Jesus has just cast a demon out of a man in the synagogue. He and his disciples now leave the synagogue and go to the home of Simon and Andrew. This passage gives us an interesting insight into family life at the time. Although Simon was married, his brother Andrew was living with them, and so was his wife's mother. For the extended family all to live under the same roof was normal at the time and is not uncommon in some parts of the world today. This may well account for the fact that, later in his ministry, Simon Peter, also known as Cephas, was able to take his wife with him on his apostolic travels, as did some of the other apostles (1 Corinthians 9:5).   However, more important than the social conditions prevailing at that time, is the miracle of healing so briefly described in the verses. Simon's mother-in-law is in bed with a fever. They tell Jesus. He responds immediately, goes to her, takes her hand, and helps her up. She is healed straightaway and is able to wait on them. So Jesus' response to the need is immediate and so is the healing.   Interestingly, in Matthew's account of this miracle, Jesus simply touches her hand (Matthew 8:15), and in Luke we're told that he bent over her and rebuked the fever and it left her (Luke 4:39). Of course, the differences in these accounts are not contradictions. They complement each other and give us the full picture. They all show his willingness and power to heal. Sometimes Jesus healed with a touch, at others with a word of command. In this case he does both. I have often preached about his miracle, usually from the passage in Matthew, and have commented that in many ways his word is synonymous with his touch. He touches us with his word.   On one such occasion, in March 2009, on a visit to Portugal where I was teaching for a week in Mount Hope Bible College near Lisbon, I was asked to do a weekend of teaching in a place called Tomar. On the Sunday morning I was preaching about the power of Jesus and how He healed people just by touching them. I explained that today He often ‘touches' us through the message that is preached and that He could touch and heal people now, even while I was preaching. While I was saying this, I noticed a woman in the second row who was quietly crying.     As soon as the service ended, this woman came to me and spoke to me. She did so through an interpreter as I don't speak Portuguese.  She insisted on showing me the lower part of her leg which for some time had been very swollen, had caused her great pain, and which had been greatly discoloured. Her friend, who interpreted for her confirmed that this was true. However, during my preaching the swelling had gone down completely, the discolouration had disappeared, and she was no longer in pain. Her tears were tears of joy! She pulled up her trouser leg and revealed a perfectly normal ankle. There was no evidence that she'd ever had a problem.   32. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33. The whole town gathered at the door, 34. and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.   We saw last time that in verse 28, after Jesus had driven out the demon in the synagogue, the news spread quickly throughout Galilee. This is demonstrated by the immediate effect on the people of the town. In fact, the whole town gathered at the door. It's understandable that people who are suffering will flock to someone who is able to meet their need, but sadly this does not always lead to genuine conversion, as the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19 makes clear. And, as we saw last time, the miracles Jesus performed in Capernaum did not bring the people to genuine repentance.   In the New Testament, miracles almost invariably attracted the attention of the crowds, and the same is generally true today, though their effect seems to vary in different cultures. For example, in Africa multitudes used to gather at the evangelistic and divine healing crusades conducted by Reinhard Bonnke, but I know from personal experience and acquaintance with him that the effects of his ministry were considerably less in Europe. Rather as in the ministry of Jesus, the Lord could do no mighty work because of the scepticism and even cynicism in the region, although he did lay his hands upon a few sick people and heal them (Mark 6:5).   Despite this, Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons. We're told in verse 41 and elsewhere that he did this because of his compassion (Matthew 14:14, 20:34, Mark 1:41, 5:19, 9:22, Luke 7:13). In healing the sick he demonstrated the love of God, even for those who were ungrateful, just as later he died for the sins of the whole world even though he knew that many would reject him.   In verse 34 Mark tells us that Jesus drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. We have already seen one example of this with the demon-possessed man in the synagogue (vv24-25). Jesus tells the demon to be quiet because it knew who Jesus was – the holy one of God.  James 2:19 shows us that even the demons believe – and shudder. They believe, but they do so grudgingly. Jesus silences all such testimony. He looks for a voluntary and glad acceptance of who he is, as the truth is revealed by the Spirit of God to those who repent and come to faith in him as their Saviour.   Finally, in Matthew's account of these miracles (8:17), he says that Jesus performed his healings   …to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases."   This is one of the ‘proof-texts' used by those who believe that Jesus died for our sicknesses in just the same way that he died for our sins. However, as I have argued in detail in my PhD thesis, and in a more simplified way in my book, Just a Taste of Heaven, whenever Matthew quotes the Old Testament he does so in connection with the events in Jesus' life and ministry that he is there and then recording, not to something that will take place later. And in Matthew 8:16-17 he uses the quote from Isaiah in connection with Jesus' healing ministry in Galilee, not in the context of his atoning work on the cross, which took place three years later. So, as we've already seen, Jesus' miracles are best understood as signs of the kingdom of God. They confirm the truth of the gospel message as they demonstrate God's power and his loving compassion for those who are sick.   35. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36. Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37. and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!" 38. Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else – to the nearby villages – so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." 39. So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.   Verse 35 undoubtedly reveals the key to Jesus' power. Although he was the Son of God (v1), and although he had been baptised in the Spirit (v10), he still needed to spend time alone in communion with God. He got up very early, he found somewhere to be alone, and he prayed. It was surely on these occasions that he received revelation from God about everything he was to do. In John 5:19, after he has healed the man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath day, he says:    I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.   This surely makes it clear that even Jesus could not tell God what to do. And we, as his disciples are to follow his example. We are God's servants. He dictates the agenda. If we are to be used in healing, as Jesus was, we must first hear what God is saying. The level of our authority is directly related to the extent to which we are hearing what God has to say.   But these verses also give us an insight into two other aspects of public ministry:   (1)  the external pressure of both the disciples and the general public demanding attention (36-37), and (2)  the inward pressure of one's personal conviction of God's call and purpose for our lives (38-39. Cf. also v45).   God's call to serve him is what should motivate all we do, but if we are to be effective in his service we must find the right balance between spending time with him and responding to the inevitable demands made by our fellow Christians and the desperate need of those who do not yet know Jesus. This is probably the most important reason why we need to follow closely the example of Jesus in seeking to win others for him.   And finally in verses 40-45 we have the account of the healing of the leper.   40. A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." 41. Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" 42. Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.   There are several points of interest here. First is the fact that the leper came to Jesus. This was unusual in that lepers were required to keep their distance due to the highly contagious nature of the disease. Perhaps his boldness in doing so can be accounted for by the fact that he had presumably heard of the miracles Jesus had already performed and that, like the four lepers in 2 Kings 7, he felt he had nothing to lose.   Secondly, what he says makes it clear that he did not doubt Jesus' ability to heal him, but that he was unsure of Jesus' willingness to do so. I've often heard it said that to be healed we must not only have faith that God can heal us, but also that he will. But that is clearly not the case. Jesus healed the leper despite his lack of faith in his willingness to do so. But Jesus' words of reassurance – I am willing – are surely an encouragement to us all. This is the only case in the Bible where someone prays in effect, Lord, heal me if it is your will. And Jesus replied, I am willing. In the light of this, and the fact that Jesus never refused healing to anyone who came to him, we should surely continue to expect healing, at least until he shows us that there is a reason for his not doing so (as in the case of Paul's thorn in the flesh in 2 Corinthians 11 where the apostle was told that God's grace would be sufficient for him).   Thirdly, Jesus' motive for healing the leper was compassion. Ignoring social convention and the danger both of catching the disease and of being made ceremonially unclean, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man – because he loved him. And we're reminded, as we saw in an earlier talk, of Jesus' willingness to be baptised even though it made him look as though he was a sinner who needed to repent. These things all foreshadow – they are a prophetic picture – of all that Jesus was to do on the cross. Although he never sinned, he was willing for God to treat him as a sinner so that he could make us acceptable to God (2 Corinthians 5:21 CEV). And he did so because he loves us.   Fourthly, please notice that the healing was immediate. Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured (v42). In the Gospels Jesus' healings were almost always immediate. There is little evidence for miracles of gradual healing. Admittedly, in Mark 8:22-26 the healing of the blind man was not instantaneous, and the ten lepers who came to Jesus for healing were all healed, but it was only as they set off to see the priest as Jesus commanded them that on their way they were healed (Luke 17:14). However, it's clear from the context that these healings occurred almost immediately or at least very soon after Jesus had ministered to those who were suffering. This does not mean of course that God may not sometimes have a purpose in gradual healing today, but healings really need to be immediate if they are to fulfil their purpose as manifestations of the kingdom of God and as signs confirming the truth of the good news of the gospel.   43. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44. "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." 45. Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.   Why did Jesus tell him not to tell anyone about his healing? Because he didn't want people to come to him simply for the physical benefits they could get. He had compassion on the sick and never refused healing to anyone who asked for it, but he didn't go looking for the sick and the demon possessed. He didn't advertise his healings – nor did the apostles in the book of Acts – his miracles advertised him! His priority, as we have seen was to take time to hear what his heavenly Father was saying.   So he tells the man he has healed to obey the Law of Moses in Leviticus 14 for the priest to examine him and confirm the healing. We might have thought that the man would have gladly obeyed Jesus' instructions out of sheer gratitude, but instead he does the opposite! We're not told why, but whatever the reason, his enthusiasm to tell his story didn't help the cause of the kingdom of God. The proclamation of the good news of the kingdom of God is demonstrated with miraculous signs and wonders, but his kingship does not take away our freedom of choice or our responsibility to obey him. And surely the greatest evidence that Jesus is Lord is in the obedient lives of those who profess to follow him. If we want Christ's kingdom to be extended, we must do things his way.   And finally, seven key points to summarise what we've been saying: (1)  Jesus' authority to heal sprang from the time he spent in communion with God and his obedience to what God revealed to him. (2)  The purpose of Jesus' healings was to confirm the good news of the kingdom of God and to show his compassion for suffering humanity. (3)  His healings, as signs of the kingdom, were immediate rather than gradual. (4)  Jesus healed by a word of command, or by a touch, or by both. (5)  While his healings brought multitudes under the sound of his teaching, relatively few became true disciples. (6)  Despite this, his willingness to be identified with suffering and sinful humanity foreshadowed what was to happen at Calvary. (7)  His willingness and power to heal all who came to him, like his willingness and power to save all who come to him, were no guarantee that all would come. But he heals and he saves anyway, because he loves us. The choice is ours, whether we come to him or not.

Talk 4   Mark 1:21-28  Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit Welcome to Talk 4 in our series on Mark's Gospel. Today we'll be looking at Mark 1:21-28. So far we have seen how Mark introduces us to the good news about Jesus who is the Son of God. He tells us of the preaching of John the Baptist whom God sent to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus. His message was Repent and be baptised.   He tells us of Jesus' baptism in the River Jordan and how, immediately after his baptism in water, where God declared him to be his beloved Son in whom he was well pleased, he was baptised in the Holy Spirit and equipped with power to fulfil his God-given mission.. This was to be the time when Jesus would start his public ministry, and after a period of fasting in the desert where he conquered Satan's temptations, he began preaching the good news of the kingdom of God evidenced by miracles of healing and deliverance.   We saw how Jesus called the four fishermen, Andrew, Simon, James and John, and we saw through the example of Jesus, and the response of the disciples to his call, key principles of  how to win other for Jesus.   Now in today's passage, and in the rest of the chapter, Mark gives us examples of what proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God actually means in practice:   21-28 Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit – a miracle in the synagogue 29-31 Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law of a fever – a miracle in a home 32-34 Jesus heals all the sick and demon possessed – miracles outside 35-39 Jesus spends time in prayer 40-45 Jesus heals a leper.   But today we'll just be looking at verses 21-28 where Jesus delivers a demon possessed man in the synagogue in Capernaum.   21-28 Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit – a miracle in the synagogue   21. They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil 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!" 26. The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 27. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." 28. News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.   21 They went to Capernaum After Jesus has called the four fishermen to follow him they go to Capernaum. Capernaum was a small town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. It's probably where the four fishermen were living. If you go there today you can see the remains of what is believed to be the house where Simon Peter lived and the synagogue where Jesus preached.   and when the Sabbath came So they came to Capernaum and it seems that they stayed there for a few days, at least until the following Sabbath.   Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. We know that it was Jesus' custom every Sabbath to attend the synagogue (Luke 4:16), where, like any other adult Jewish male, he had the right to teach. But his teaching was different!   22. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. It was the custom of the rabbis in those days to be constantly quoting the opinions of others, but Jesus spoke with an authority that came from Heaven. This undoubtedly sprang from who he was, the Christ, the Son of God (v1), but at a human level, resulted from the time he spent in prayerful communion with his heavenly Father (cf. v35).   In teaching and preaching in this way, he was not only instructing the congregation in the synagogue, but also setting an example to his disciples, and us, as to how the kingdom of God should be proclaimed (cf. v14). He was showing them how to become fishers of men. Of course, there is a time and place for giving a reasoned explanation for why we believe what we believe (1 Peter 3:15), but, as the apostle Paul discovered, the enticing words of man's wisdom are no substitute for preaching with the demonstration and power of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:1-4). This is nowhere more evident than in the reaction of the people to Jesus in the synagogue:   The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him" (v27).   This, of course, was the result of Jesus having just cast out an evil spirit, described by Mark in verses 23-26:   23. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil 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!" 26. The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.   23. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit The same incident is recorded in Luke 4:33ff where again the NIV uses the word possessed to describe the man's condition. However, literally translated, Mark says:   And there was in their synagogue a man with (or in) an unclean spirit and Luke describes him as a man having a spirit of an unclean demon (Luke 4:33). I mention this simply to point out that the New Testament uses a variety of different expressions to refer to what today is commonly described as demon possession (another of which is to be demonized (e.g. Matthew 4:24, 8:16, 28, 33; Mark 1:32, 5:15,16, 18; Luke 8:36). It's clear to me that all these expressions are used interchangeably and that it's a mistake to try to draw a distinction between them. What's particularly interesting is that in the case we're looking at the man was in the synagogue. But this is no basis for the argument that a born-again Christian can be demon possessed. There is no evidence that the man was a believer (even though the demon in him knew who Jesus was). Literally translated, verses 24-26 read:   Away! What to us and to you, Jesus of Nazareth? You came to destroy us. I know who you are – the holy one of God. And Jesus rebuked it, saying, Be silenced, and come out of him. And the unclean spirit tore him and cried out with a great voice and came out of him.   It's important to note that it's the demon, not the man, who is speaking, though the demon is speaking through the man. And it's the demon that Jesus rebukes and tells to be silent. The demon says, Away! It wants Jesus to keep his distance. Jesus and demons have nothing in common. An unclean spirit cannot bear the presence of the holy one of God.   The NIV translation Have you come to destroy us? can equally well be translated as a statement rather than a question. (There are no punctuation marks in the Greek text, so it could mean You have come to destroy us). The demon knew who Jesus was. It might well have known the purpose for which he has come – to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).   Notice that Jesus didn't argue with the demon. He didn't need to. He had complete authority over it. He didn't need to take authority. He exercised the authority he already had, because he was a man under authority – the authority of his Father. He rebuked it and commanded it to be silent and come out of the man. And, of course, it did!   Now please note that I am not teaching a methodology for exorcising demons here. But there are at least two clear principles implicit in what I have said: 1.     As Christians we are in Christ (Ephesians 1:13) and Christ lives within us by his Spirit. Demons cannot cohabit with Christ. They flee from his presence. So I believe it's a mistake to attempt to cast a demon out of a Christian. As Christians we need to resist the devil and sometimes it's necessary for another Christian to stand alongside us in prayer when we're under attack. But we don't need exorcism. 2.     If we're going to be used in setting others free we need to be living under the authority of Jesus. We cannot take authority. In the Bible, authority is always something that's given. We only have authority if we're under authority. We either have it or we don't. If we have it, we don't need to take it. We exercise it. And if we don't have it, no amount of ‘taking' it will help.   But that leads us to the question, Why did Jesus cast out the demon? The man certainly didn't ask Jesus to help him. There are several possible answers to this. Consider the following: 1.     Because the man was causing a disturbance in the synagogue. 2.     Because the man was so controlled by the demon that he was incapable of asking for help. 3.     Because it was not yet time for Jesus to fully reveal who he was. 4.     Because he refused to let the devil set the agenda. 5.     Because he hated the devastation the enemy had caused in this man's life. 6.     Because he had compassion on the man. Compare v 41 where Jesus is moved with compassion for the leper. 7.     Because the reason he had come to earth was to destroy the works of the devil. The Greek word for destroy in 1 John 3:8 is luo, which means to loose or undo. The devil binds people. Jesus unties them. He sets them free. 8.     Because he knew that it was his Father's will (cf. John 5:19). 9.     Because casting out demons was a sign that the kingdom of God had come. 10.Because the miracle would cause the people of Capernaum to become his disciples?   Now, although most of these suggestions have merit – some more than others – I think the first one is improbable and the last one is definitely inaccurate. Look at verses 27-28: 27. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." 28. News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.   The people were amazed, but did they repent and believe? Compare Matthew 11:20-24: 20. Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent… 23. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."   This indicates that despite the miracles he performed there, the people of Capernaum did not repent. Possibly because of pride. The simple fact is that where miracles of healing and deliverance are taking place people will come out of curiosity and in the hope that their needs will be met. But though many are healed, relatively few become true disciples of Jesus.   So why does God bother? Because miracles are signs of the kingdom and make it easier for people to believe. God wants everyone to be saved, but the choice to repent and believe is theirs. It's one thing to be amazed at the miracles, as the inhabitants of Capernaum were, but quite another to believe the message of the kingdom of God and to repent and put your trust in Jesus as your Saviour. And perhaps this is why we don't see more miracles in this country today? Even Jesus could do no mighty work in Nazareth because of their unbelief (Mark 6:5-6). Unbelief in a community inhibits the miraculous. And so can lack of faith and prayer on the part of God's people. But that doesn't alter the truth that miracles are God's way of confirming his word (Mark 16:15-20). It's our responsibility to preach the word and be led by the Spirit as we believe for miraculous confirmation. But we will have more to say about this in future talks.            

Healing of Peter's Mother-in-law: An Example of Intercessory Prayer by the Faithful Today's Gospel reading is like a bridge reading. We hear from St. Luke, Jesus left the synagogue, and we will soon be on the Sea of Galilee with Peter. Today's reading, we are in Simon Peter's house. Jesus knew Simon before today's reading. Jesus is in the home of one that He knows. This is informative! We know that Jesus visits the homes of those that know Him . . . our homes as well. Upon entering the home, Jesus meets illness. Simon's mother-in-law is ill. She is sick, bedridden and her health is in danger. She is incapable of doing anything other than lying in bed. Note, we don't hear that Simon's mother is sick, so Jesus goes there. That was not why He went. Of course, Jesus knows Simon's mother is sick. But He was pleased to go to the house, because it was Simon's house. The mother-in-law did not cry out for healing. The Church does not know if she even knew Jesus was there. What we do know is people with growing faith . . . those in Simon's household . . . interceded on behalf of the mother-in-law. These faithful know they can turn to Him not only for themselves, but on behalf of others. An early example of the faithful performing intercessory prayers. Hear more about Intercessory Prayers and how that should impact our spiritual life. Listen to this Meditation Media.

We have confidence and faith to declare: Let Your kingdom come, Let Your will be done!

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” Luke 5:8Consider carefully this very moving action of Simon Peter. Jesus had just begun His public ministry, healing Simon's mother-in-law as one of His first miracles. After that, Simon witnessed Jesus heal many other sick people and cast out many demons. And then, shortly after these initial miracles, Jesus got into the boat of Simon, directed him to “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.” As soon as Simon obeyed, he caught so many fish that they needed a second boat to come and help them. The response of Simon to this additional miracle is recorded above.Three things take place in this passage. First, “Simon Peter saw this…” And though he saw this, literally with his eyes, we should see his “seeing” as something even deeper. Simon Peter saw not just the best day of fishing he had ever had. He saw God's grace at work through Jesus and was deeply moved interiorly by what he saw. Jesus used that which was one of the most central parts of Simon Peter's life (fishing) to manifest His divine power. In a sense, Jesus brought this lesson home to Simon, using fishing as the source of His lesson.Secondly, Simon's response was perfect. By encountering this divine miracle, Simon immediately was aware of his sin. Though we do not know what Simon's sin was, it is clear that this encounter with our Lord led him to immediately call to mind whatever he was guilty of. Perhaps he had struggled with some ongoing habitual sin for years, or perhaps he had done something of a grave nature that still haunted him. But all we know is that Simon's encounter with this very powerful and personal miracle moved him to an awareness of his sin.Thirdly, Simon falls at the knees of Jesus and tells the Lord to depart from him. And though Jesus' mercy is so great that Jesus would never depart from him, Simon is not only aware of the fact that he is unworthy to be in Jesus' presence, but he also manifests this conviction through his humble action of repentance. What does Jesus do? He said, “Do not be afraid…” And when these new disciples arrived at shore, “they left everything and followed him.”Each one of us must encounter our Lord in this same way. We must see Jesus. We must be deeply attentive to Him. We must recognize His presence, hear His voice and see His action in our life. If this is done well and through faith, then our personal encounter with our Lord will shine light on the sin we need to repent of. This is not so that we remain in guilt and shame; rather, it is so that we can also humble ourselves before Jesus and acknowledge we are not worthy of Him. When this humble admission is done well, we can be assured that Jesus will also say to us, “Do not be afraid.” His consoling words to us must then be responded to with the same choice made by Simon and the others. We must be ready and willing to leave everything behind so as to follow Him.Reflect, today, upon this image of Simon Peter on his knees before Jesus. See his humility and honesty. See his sincerity and interior awareness. And see his understanding of the divine power of Jesus before him. Pray that you, too, will see our Lord, experience your sin, humble yourself before Him and hear Him call you to radically and completely follow after Him wherever He leads.My consoling Lord, You manifested Your almighty power to Simon Peter through his ordinary daily activity. You allowed him to see Your divine power at work. Help me to see You at work in my life also, dear Lord. And as I see You, help me to humble myself before You, acknowledging my unworthiness. As I do, I pray that I also hear You say to me “Do not be afraid,” so that I can get up and follow You wherever You lead. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

+ Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 4: 38 – 44 After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them. At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are the Son of God." But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Messiah. At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, "To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent." And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea. The Gospel of the Lord.

Lk 4:38-44 After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them. At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, "You are the Son of God." But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ. At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, "To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent." And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them. Luke 4:38–39If you wanted to share some important message with a group of people, you would first need to get their attention. This could be done through a variety of means, such as through a charismatic personality, a powerfully moving story, a heroic act of virtue, or anything else that leaves people impressed or even amazed. Once you have their complete attention, you can share the message you want to share. This is what Jesus did in today's Gospel.Jesus began His public ministry in Nazareth, but the people of his hometown rejected Him from their Synagogue. Therefore, He immediately traveled some 20 miles on foot to Capernaum, a town just north of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus would spend much of His time. In this first visit to Capernaum, at the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus taught in their Synagogue, cast out a demon, and then went to the home of Simon (who eventually was given the name Peter) to perform His first recorded physical healing in Luke's Gospel. He cured Simon's mother-in-law, who suffered from a severe fever. Then, later that evening, many people brought to Jesus the sick and possessed, and Jesus “Laid his hands on each of them and cured them.” He certainly got their attention. And the next morning, as Jesus was preparing to leave Capernaum after this first visit during His public ministry, the people tried to convince Jesus to stay. However, Jesus said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.”Has Jesus ever gotten your complete attention? Though you most likely have never witnessed a miraculous healing first hand or seen a demon being cast out of one who was possessed, Jesus still wants your full attention. He wants you to be so amazed at Him and so impressed by Him that you find yourself seeking Him out so as to be more fully fed by His divine teaching.Some people give their full attention to our Lord after a powerful experience on a retreat. Others are struck by a powerful sermon. And there will be countless other ways by which Jesus has gotten your attention so as to fill you with a desire to listen to Him and be with Him. Such experiences lay a wonderful foundation by which we are continually invited to turn to our Lord. If this is not an experience to which you can relate, then ask yourself the question “Why?” Why haven't you been amazed by our Lord to the point that you fervently seek Him out so as to listen to His nourishing Word? Reflect, today, upon this initial way by which our Lord got the attention of the people of Capernaum. Though some would eventually turn from Him, many did become faithful followers on account of these personal experiences.Reflect upon any way that you have encountered our Lord powerfully in the past. Have you allowed that experience to become an ongoing motivation for you to seek Him out? And if you cannot point to any such experience, beg our Lord to give you an interior drive to desire more of Him and to be fed by His holy Word and divine presence. My miraculous Lord, I know that You desire my complete attention in life. And I know that I am often distracted by many things that compete with You. Give me the grace I need to become so amazed by You and by Your action in my life that I fervently seek You out so as to be continually nourished by Your holy Word and divine presence in my life. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Wednesday of the Twenty-second Week in Ordinary TimeLk 4:38-44After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them.

As we continue with the series of seeking first, listen to this enriching sermon as Pastor Anthony continues on the importance of seeking God first.To seek means, to pursue, to confirm, to explore, to search. Seeking means we are here to find out for ourselves, (first hand). For instance, we see this with the village people after hearing about Jesus from the woman at the well in John 4:42. Just like the village people, we are here Seeking to FIND, KNOW, UNDERSTAND, BECOME, CONFIRM & ESTABLISH. That's why we talk about:Spiritual Disciplines: Fasting & prayer, bible reading & study, worship & praise, meditating on scripture and thanksgivingWhy do we seek Him?Seeking Him is about seeking His will, plans & purposes.When you find Him, what then? Matthew 7:7-8- We seek His Kingdom for participation, mobilization & for change. (To become like Him)- We seek His interests.- Whatever you seek, that you will find. Jesus came to SEEK & SAVE that which is lost.- Jesus expects His seeking to produce an outcome.It's important that when we search for something (like peace) then we look for the source. For us, Jesus is that source.Oftentimes we face challenges in searching. The challenges are:GOD'S FIRST VS YOUR FIRSTSometimes, when we read the bible we get challenged in our thinking by what it says. So many times what God says, seems to fly in the face of what we say & do (Matthew 19:30, Matthew 20:16, Philippians 2:3).Jesus knew that in life people were chasing & being chased. (That's why this series; “seek FIRST the kingdom of God” is important).Let's look at GOD'S FIRSTIt's important that God is first in all that we do. God says in Proverbs 24:27 TPT “Go ahead, build your career and give yourself to your work. But if you put me first, you'll see your family built up!”MY CANNOT IS GOD'S CAN.We see this in the book of 1 Kings 17: 8-16 with Prophet Elijah and the widow. Just because we are limited and we can't, doesn't mean that it's the same for God.Another way that we can put God first in our lives is by starting with Jesus in everything we do.JESUS HAS TO BE YOUR FIRST PORT OF CALLThis is seen in the book of Mark 1: 30 TPT (when) “Simon's mother-in-law was bedridden, sick with a high fever, so the FIRST thing they did was to tell Jesus about her.” It's important that in all we do and go through, we first tell Jesus - we first talk to Him because what we value, admire, esteem & trust will be our first port of call so let that be Jesus.Maybe you say: I DON'T GET ALONG WITH PEOPLE BUT AT LEAST I HAVE JESUS.That's not the way to go. We have to get along with people, even if they wrong us. Matthew 5:21-26 teaches us that we need to forgive and come to terms with those that have hurt or accused us. As a people of God, we ought to get along with others. We need to always be aware of God's first. Our first and GOD'S FIRST is miles apart when we say:JESUS I WILL LET YOU KNOW WHENMatthew 8: 18-22 & Luke 9: 61 teach us of those who looked at their first instead of God's first. As humans we can go through instances where we know we need to let go and let Jesus lead our lives, but we want that at our own time and on our own terms. GOD'S READY MIGHT NOT BE YOUR READY In the book of Luke 14:12-24, we see the Parable of the Great Banquet. Like those other guests in the parable, we can make excuses but ultimately God has the final say.In conclusion, time is of the essence. So like Jesus said in Luke 11: 42 (TPT): “Re-adjust your values and place FIRST things FIRST.” The first thing in our lives should be Him, so, seek Him.

In this episode you will discover why Jesus healed many sick people in his time on earth. It wasn't only because he really wanted everyone to be healthy, but as a sign to the people as to who he is - the Son of God! For all other episodes and more, check out our website at thewordonthestreetpodcast.com  Follow Anna on her Facebook Page here Join The Word On The Street Podcast conversation on our Facebook group here Follow The Word On The Street Podcast on Instagram here Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts Here are the bible verses quoted in today's episode: Bible Passage: Mark 1:15  “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Bible Passage: Mark 1:16-20 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Bible Passage: Mark 1:29-34 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. Bible Passage: Mark 1:35-39 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. Bible Passage: Mark 1:40-45 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!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. Today's Questions: Jesus can do all kinds of miracles. Why do you think Jesus chose to spend time healing so many people? What might the people who flocked to Jesus be thinking about who he is and where he gets his power from?

The Fifth Sunday after Trinity: Fishing for People St. Luke 5:1-11 by William Klock Jesus had a big message, he was alone.  He knew the amazing and miraculous circumstance of his birth.  He knew the words that had been spoken over him as a baby, when he was too small to understand, blessings given by old saints like Simeon and Anna when Mary and Joseph had taken him to be dedicated in the temple.  Most of all, he knew the scriptures.  He'd pieced it all together and he knew who he was and why his Father—not Joseph, but his Father father had sent him.  Jesus knew what the God of Israel was doing through him.  Jesus knew what he had to do.    If he'd had any doubts about it, his baptism by John in the Jordan had driven them all away.  John knew who he was.  And then the heavens had opened, the Spirit had descended on him, and his Father had spoken: “You are my son.”  And he had proved himself in the desert as he was tempted by the devil—each time that knowledge of who he was, what he was here for, and all those scriptures he'd memorised and meditated on came flooding back.  He resisted the devil and the devil had fled.  And his Father had vindicated him, sending his angels to minister to him.  Walking out of the desert, Jesus was ready to take that big message to his people.  And he began, literally, with his people.  He went back to his home town of Nazareth and on the sabbath, in the synagogue, the rabbi gave him the Isaiah scroll to read. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, [Jesus read out]          because he has anointed me          to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives          and recovering of sight to the blind,          to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” (Luke 4:18-19) “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing,” Jesus said.  Today it begins.  Israel had been crying out to the Lord for deliverance for centuries.  He has heard your cries and he has sent me to proclaim the good news.  Deliverance and judgement are coming.  Judgement always comes with deliverance, because the faithful cannot be delivered unless the unfaithful and the wicked are judged and cast down.  So repent and believe for the kingdom of God is near. At first the people—many his friends and family—were amazed, but all they wanted was their own personal Messiah to work miracles for them.  By the time Jesus had finished rebuking them, they'd formed a mob and chased him to the edge of a cliff.  They were ready to throw him down, to kill him.  By some miracle he escaped.  He fled to Capernaum.  There, people listened.  He cast out a demon.  Word about him quickly spread.  One sabbath, after preaching his message in the synagogue, that message about the coming kingdom, about deliverance and judgment and the need for Israel to repent, he was invited to the home of a man named Simon.  Simon's mother-in-law was sick and had a fever.  Jesus healed her.  Pretty soon everyone in town with a problem was crowding Simon's house to be healed by Jesus.  In him they were getting a glimpse of the age to come, of the world finally set to rights.  They didn't want him to leave, but he had to go, he had to take the good news about the coming of the kingdom to the rest of God's people, to the rest of Judea.  Judgement was coming for Israel, and the people—everyone in Israel—needed to hear Jesus' call to repentance. So many villages and town and cities.  So many people.  So many heard and were enthusiastic.  Many even believed.  But so many didn't.  Some just saw the miracles and their only thought was for today and they missed what the good news really was.  Some got it, they heard Jesus' announcement of the kingdom, but they misunderstood or they got angry.  The Messiah was supposed to announce judgement on Israel's enemies, not on Israel!  No matter how Jesus looked at it, his mission was so big and he was just one man.  It weighed heavily on him.  A big message and even bigger task for just one person. But one day not long after, St. Luke tells us in today's Gospel, Jesus was standing on the shore of the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum.  He was preaching.  It was a good spot for that.  There are coves that amplify the sound.  He was using one of them like a natural amphitheatre.  But the crowd of people just kept getting bigger and bigger.  People wanted to see the miracle-worker, but more than that, they wanted to hear the good news he was proclaiming—that in him the Lord had heard the cries of his people and had come to deliver and to judge.  Some—the hurting and the poor—needed to hear that message of consolation.  Some wanted to know just who it was that would be judged—because they'd heard Jesus calling people to repentance.  And the crowd got bigger and bigger and people were struggling to hear what he was saying. And Luke writes that there were a couple of boats on the beach.  Fishing boats.  The fisherman had come in from their night's labour, had emptied the boats, and were on the beach looking after their nets while Jesus preached.  Jesus recognised one of the fishermen.  It was Simon.  A few days before he'd been invited to his house and he'd healed his mother-in-law.  And so he called to Simon and asked him to row him out onto the water so that he could preach from his boat and let the water and walls of the cove amplify his voice.  Simon did as Jesus asked. And Jesus preached about the Lord's kingdom that was so soon to come.  Luke doesn't give us Jesus' specific words on this occasion, but we know he preached there what he preached everywhere else.  He preached about coming judgement, he preached about repentance, and he preached about the life of the age to come that awaited the repentant on the other side of that judgement.  In Jesus the Lord had come to set things to rights, but to be part of that new world and that new and restored people, the people of Israel needed to be right with the Lord.  For those who refused to repent, war with Rome waited and the death and utter destruction it would bring.  To make his point Jesus spoke of outer darkness and gnashing teeth—just the sort of judgement language the old prophets had used—Gehenna and unquenchable fire.  Jesus reminded the people of familiar passages from the prophets, from Isaiah and from Ezekiel and from Jeremiah, passages about judgement and deliverance and national repentance, and about the faithfulness of the Lord. And in the middle of all that, inspiration struck Jesus.  He had an idea.  The good news wasn't going to proclaim itself to Israel and there were only so many places and people Jesus could reach with the message in the short time he had.  He needed helpers.  He needed disciples.  And I can't help but think that a little bit of Jeremiah was running around his head—I'll come back to Jeremiah in a bit.  He may have just preached this little bit of Jeremiah to crowd, and as the great crowd finally dispersed and he was alone in the boat with the fishermen, he asked Simon to row out into deeper water and to cast his nets for a catch.  Jeremiah echoing in his mind the whole time. Simon liked Jesus.  After hearing his preaching, he'd invited him to his home.  But you can hear the annoyance in his voice when he responds to Jesus, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”  If the fish weren't there in the dark, they certainly wouldn't be there in the day.  And they'd just cleaned the nets.  And they were tired.  What was the point?  But Simon knew.  If it was anyone else, he'd have pushed him overboard, but this was Jesus.  He'd seen Jesus do things.  And, anyway, he owed him one.  So Simon and his friends rowed out into the deep water and cast their net.  And to their surprise, they caught something.  They caught a lot of somethings—and it wasn't old boots and hubcaps!  Simon started yelling to haul in the nets before they broke from all the fish teeming inside.  But the nets started tearing anyway.  Sooo many fish!  Simon was calling to James and John in the other boat, “Get over here!  Quick!  Help, before the nets are destroyed and all these fish get away.”  And pretty soon they were hauling and scooping fish into both boats.  But now it was the boats that were in danger.  There were so many fish that the boats were riding dangerously low.  The waves were washing over the sides and the boats were sitting lower and lower in the water by the minute.  The fishermen started bailing frantically. But not Simon.  Luke tells us that Simon Peter—yes, that Simon—he tells us that Simon Peter fell down on his knees in the middle of the sinking boat and wriggling fish and cried out to Jesus, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”  Simon Peter had an encounter with the holy.  He was no great theologian.  He knew nothing of homoousioses or hypostatic unions.  He simply knew Israel's scriptures and in Jesus he saw the faithfulness of the God of Israel revealed brighter than the sun at noon.  He knew that in Jesus the Lord had come to his people and Simon Peter did what everyone who has ever had an encounter with the God of Israel has done: He fell to his knees, confessed his sinfulness, and pled for that holiness that felt like it was burning into his sinful heart like a red hot poker, he pled for it to go away and leave him be.  Luke makes a point of telling us this detail of the story, because it points back so obviously to Isaiah's encounter with the Lord.  Do you remember Isaiah's response to the presence of the holiness of God?  Isaiah cried out: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5) Isaiah couldn't bear the presence of the holy either.  And that's when an angel flew down to Isaiah bearing a burning coal from the altar.  He touched Isaiah's unclean lips with the coal and proclaimed that his guilt had departed and his sin blotted out.  And then, when the Lord called out, “Whom shall I send?  Who will go for us?  Who will proclaim my message to Israel?” Isaiah responded with those familiar words, “Here I am!  Send me!” And it's that scene all over again in that sinking fishing boat between Simon Peter and Jesus.  As Simon Peter knelt, shaking in the presence of the holy, Jesus announced to him, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.”  In Matthew and Mark, Jesus says to Simon Peter and his friends, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  These were the men Jesus needed to help him to proclaim the coming kingdom and to call the nation to repentance in anticipation of it. But what, exactly, was Jesus calling Simon Peter to do?  On the one hand it's obvious.  We've all been singing the song since we were in Sunday School.  I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men, fishers of men.  I will make you fishers of men if you follow me.  And if you're like me, of course you think of evangelism.  And we forget that Simon Peter and his friends fished with nets and we imagine ourselves doing evangelism as if we're fishermen casting out a line with a worm on the hook and sitting and waiting for a bite.  And that last little bit about “if you follow me”—if.  There was no “if” in that sinking boat.  Jesus just told Simon Peter, “From now on you'll be catching men.”  When the Lord calls you, Brothers and Sisters, there's no if.  Not for Abraham, not for Moses, not for Isaiah, not for Simon Peter—not for us.  They all cowered in fear and then they squirmed and they even argued “I'm not worthy”, “I don't know how”, “I can't”, but the Lord purified them, absolved them, equipped them, and sent them and they went.  Every one of them.  Not just Simon Peter that day, but James and John.   But, again, what was Jesus calling them to do?  What was he calling them for? Remember I said that I think Jesus had a bit of Jeremiah running around his head when he told Simon Peter to row out into the deep water and to cast his nets.  And I think that was the case because, first, Jesus was always preaching the prophets, and second, because of the context—he was in a fishing boat with fisherman. In Jeremiah 16 we read the Lord's words of warning to Israel.  The prophet was to announce the Lord's coming judgement on the nation and people of Israel.  Here's what he says in Jeremiah 16:10-13.  This is the indictment. “And when you tell this people all these words, and they say to you, ‘Why has the Lord pronounced all this great evil against us? What is our iniquity? What is the sin that we have committed against the Lord our God?' then you shall say to them: ‘Because your fathers have forsaken me, declares the Lord, and have gone after other gods and have served and worshiped them, and have forsaken me and have not kept my law, and because you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, every one of you follows his stubborn, evil will, refusing to listen to me. Therefore I will hurl you out of this land into a land that neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you shall serve other gods day and night, for I will show you no favor.'   Some of the specifics of the sins had changed since the days of Jeremiah, but Israel in Jesus' day was just as unfaithful to the Lord.  This was a perfect passage for Jesus to draw on in order to explain his ministry and why the Lord had sent him.  The Lord had judged Israel then and he was about to do it again and for the same reason.  Jump down a few verses to 16-18.  Because they have not been faithful to his covenant, the Lord is going to remove his people from the promised land and send them into exile.  And he's going to be thorough about it.  He uses the imagery of fishing and hunting. “Behold, I am sending for many fishers, declares the Lord, and they shall catch them. And afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the clefts of the rocks. For my eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from me, nor is their iniquity concealed from my eyes. But first I will doubly repay their iniquity and their sin, because they have polluted my land with the carcasses of their detestable idols, and have filled my inheritance with their abominations.”   Jeremiah's point was that none would escape the coming judgement.  When Babylon fell on Judea like a ton of bricks, many would flee, but none would escape the Lord's judgement.  Like fishers casting their nets across the rivers and catching everything, the Babylonians would let no one escape.  Everyone would be carried off into exile. And this wasn't some bit of Old Testament prophetic imagery that the Jewish people had forgotten.  It's used in the Thanksgiving Psalms found at Qumran, in the Dead Sea Scrolls.  The singer of the psalm sees himself as a fisherman with his net spread over Israel, ready to catch the children of injustice and to bring them to judgement.[1]  That's why I expect Jesus would have preached on this passage from Jeremiah, if not this day, then on some other.  But what better passage to be preaching as he stood in Simon's fishing boat. And something clicks in Jesus' head.  This time there's a way to escape the coming judgement.  That's why Jesus was sent.  Not just to announce that judgement was coming soon, but to call the people to repentance—and even to give his life as a sacrifice for their sins.  To make a new people, forgiven and full of God's own Spirit, who would be ready to live the life of the age to come, who would be ready to live in God's world set to rights, to live his law of love, and to take up their original vocation, to be his stewards and the priests of his temple.  As Jesus says in John's Gospel, “God did not send his Son to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”  What Israel needs is fisherman, just like in Jeremiah's day, but not fisherman to catch the fish for judgement.  Israel needs a corps of gospel fishermen who will catch people that they might live.  The word Jesus uses for catch means to capture something alive.  In the Old Testament it was used to describe capturing an enemy, while sparing his life instead of putting him to death.  It's the perfect image for the mission of Jesus and his disciples.  In the face of coming judgement, these gospel fishermen will catch men and women so that their lives will be spared. I doubt Simon Peter or James or John had any idea that day the full extent of what they were in for, but they had heard the good news, they had chosen their side, and Luke writes that when they'd got their boats and nets and the fish to shore, they left it all and followed Jesus.  Like Isaiah, Simon Peter had heard the call, had been absolved and equipped by the Lord, and was ready to stand and say, “Here I am.  Send me!”  These disciples were the labourers sent out in to the harvest.  Jesus gave them authority to preach and to heal and to cast out demons.  They went out in the name of Jesus to prepare Israel for the judgement to come.  Like Jesus, they announced the Lord's coming judgement on Israel for her unfaithfulness, and they called the people to repentance.  There was life in a renewed people of God on the other side of the coming disaster, a life full of the Spirit, a life as the people Israel had always been called to be—the people who lived with God in their midst.  And that ministry drew a line down the middle of Israel.  There were those who heard this good news and believed.  There were those who rejected the message.  The disciples were to leave such people—to symbolically shake the dust from their feet and to move on and to carry the message to those who would receive it. This is why Jesus told them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6).  Judgement would one day come to the gentiles, too, but before the Lord could judge the gentile nations, he had to judge and to renew his own people—to set his own house in order.  Seeing the Lord do that, seeing the Lord come in judgement on his own rebellious people, and seeing him, through Jesus, establishing a new people, that's what would pique the interest of the gentiles.  Seeing the faithfulness of the God of Israel—something they'd never seen in their own gods—that is what ultimately prompt the gentile nations to come and glorify this God who was unlike any other.  This was the good news that would eventually conquer the world of the Greeks and Romans for Jesus the Messiah.   Now, Brothers and Sisters, it's our turn.  We're here this morning reading Luke's Gospel because the Lord has kept his promises.  Because he kept his promise to discipline his own children and, through Jesus, to put his own house in order.  Because he kept his promise to pour out his Spirit on that new people who found their identity in Jesus.  Because he kept his promise to Simon Peter, that he would, from them on, be catching people instead of fish.  Because the Lord was faithful and may in Israel believed.  Because the Lord was faithful, the gentiles saw and believed.  This God and his crucified and risen Son, and this Spirit-filled people were unlike anything the world had ever seen or heard of and so the world came, a trickle at first, but then nations and eventually an entire empire, to kneel before him and to give him glory.  And the amazing thing is that through their faith in Jesus, they became part of this new Israel, this people of God, forgiven by his Son and filled with his Spirit.  And ever since, this good news about Jesus and about his cross and about his resurrection from the dead and about his ascension to his heavenly throne and about the faithfulness of the God of Israel has been spreading—gospel fishermen casting their nets and catching fish—catching them that they might hear and believe and repent and know the life of the age to come.  Because the Lord will one day judge all the earth, just as he judged Israel, and just as he judged the Greek and Romans.  When Jesus has put every last enemy under his feet—and if the Lord's past record is worth anything, we know Jesus surely will put every last enemy under his feet—when the gospel and the church and the Spirit have done their work—and if the story of Simon Peter and this Spirit-filled church is worth anything, we know it will one day do the work Jesus equipped it to do—then the Lord will finally wipe every last bit of rebellion and sin and wickedness from his creation.  There will be outer darkness and weeping and gnashing of teeth, but there will also be life in this world set to rights.  Brothers and Sisters, Jesus sends us out to proclaim this good news, to prepare the world for what lies ahead, to preach the death and resurrection of Jesus, to proclaim like royal heralds that he is Lord, and that forgiveness and healing and life with God are his gift, that all who repent and believe can be part of this amazing, life-filled people he has created in Jesus, but that to receive that gift of his grace, we must repent and believe that we might be transformed—aligned with the values of his kingdom, that we might be prepared for the age to come and life with him.  Today we're the gospel fishermen sent out to cast our nets, to proclaim the good news for the glory of God. Let's pray: Father, you have called us and made us your people.  You send us out, like Simon Peter, to fish for people that they might know the life of your kingdom.  When we're tempted to protest, thinking that we are unworthy of the task, that we are too sinful, that we aren't up to it, remind us that in Jesus you have forgiven us, that you have made us holy, that you have filled us with your Spirit, and that you have given us this remarkable and irresistible story to tell the world, this story of your goodness, your love, your grace, your mercy, and your faithfulness.  Give us the grace to do the work of your kingdom as we trust in your faithfulness to us and to all who hear it.  Through the Lord Jesus we pray.  Amen. [1] 1QHa 13:7-11

This week we read about the baptism of Jesus Christ and the Godhead! We also learn about Simon’s Mother-in-law, and other healings that took place that very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus Is Baptized The Godhead – Three Distinct Beings What Shall I Do? Casting Out Spirits Simon's Mother-in-law Healings Leper No Longer

On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him. Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.” He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.

Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary TimeMk 1:29-39Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

Today's Topics: 1) Gospel - Mk 1:29-39 - Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them. Bishop Sheen quote of the day 2, 3) Hungarian Archbishop blasts Freemasonry, LGBT ideology, and rising Islam in Europe https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/hungarian-archbishop-blasts-freemasonry-lgbt-ideology-rising-islam-in-europe/?utm_source=top_news&utm_campaign=usa 4) Update with Church Militant on news as it relates to the Church & Culture  

Title: Thanksgiving to Serving Gratitude not only leads to giving thanks but it also leads to serving. Today, we look into the story of Simon's mother-in-law and what her response was when Jesus healed of her illness. Her gratitude led to serving. What can we do in the areas which we are thankful for? How can we further express our gratitude toward different relationships and circles which we belong to? Today, we go from thanksgiving to serving!

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message titled Everyday together with God!-----SERMON NOTES:Set aside God time is priceless, but everyday life together with God is the goal. But know this, the LORD has set apart the godly for himself. Psalm 4:3 ESVEveryday closeness is not only possible, it's God's plan! One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again.” Luke 5:1-5 NLTObedience positions us in the presence of God and is a setup for the supernatural!And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I'm such a sinful man.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. Luke 5:6-11 NLTAfter leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon's home, where he found Simon's mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them. Luke 4:38-39 NLTThe everyday burdens you carry, you don't have to carry alone. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. Ephesians 4:4-6 NLTAll of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 NLTPursuing God‘s purposes with passion requires a power you only get from God. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4 NLTIf all you ever need from God is forgiveness you're not living into your full potential.Serving isn't just a front row seat, it's life up-close and in the game with God. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.” Mark 10:43:45 MSGServing is a beautiful pathway to a deeper place in God's presenceFor in him we live and move and exist. Acts 17:28 NLT................

We're so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message titled Everyday together with God! ----- SERMON NOTES: Set aside God time is priceless, but everyday life together with God is the goal. But know this, the LORD has set apart the godly for himself. Psalm 4:3 ESV Everyday closeness is not only possible, it's God's plan! One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again.” Luke 5:1-5 NLT Obedience positions us in the presence of God and is a setup for the supernatural! And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I'm such a sinful man.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. Luke 5:6-11 NLT After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon's home, where he found Simon's mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. “Please heal her,” everyone begged. Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them. Luke 4:38-39 NLT The everyday burdens you carry, you don't have to carry alone. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. Ephesians 4:4-6 NLT All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it. 1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT Pursuing God‘s purposes with passion requires a power you only get from God. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT If all you ever need from God is forgiveness you're not living into your full potential. Serving isn't just a front row seat, it's life up-close and in the game with God. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.” Mark 10:43:45 MSG Serving is a beautiful pathway to a deeper place in God's presence For in him we live and move and exist. Acts 17:28 NLT ................

We would love to pray for you! Click here to contact our prayer team!Mark 1:29-39 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.To view our video archive of past sermons, click here!

After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them. At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ. At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Lifted UpThe Miracles of JesusWith just one touch, Jesus can change everything.They told Him about Simon's mother-in-law who was there in bed, sick and feverish. Jesus went to her side, took her hand, and lifted her up. As soon as He touched her, the fever left her and she felt well again—strong enough to bustle around the house taking care of her visitors. - Mark 1:30-31 VOICEWe also read this story from Matthew 8:14-15 NLT and Luke 4:38-39 AMPIs there an area in your life where you need a touch from Jesus to come alive again? Blessing you to receive it and be filled with His love!Thank You!Becoming a PatronIf you are one of the many who have been blessed by Cultivate Connection, please consider becoming a monthly patron. Creating space for people to connect with God in this busy world is so vital.As a patron, you empower us to continue producing and developing tools for people to connect with God, discover identity, and awaken purpose for their lives. Learn more on our website at CultivateConnection.comWe Need You!Cultivate Connection is listened to in 129 countries and averages 2,000 listeners a week. Help us reach even more people by sharing this episode on Facebook, Instagram, via email, or whatever other way you prefer.Visit our Facebook page and share your thoughts or ask a question. We read every comment and love responding!Leave a review on iTunes or your favourite podcast app. Your ratings and reviews mean a lot and help this podcast get discovered by others.And lastly, subscribe to Cultivate Collection Weekly, our email providing you with resources and inspiration to help you grow your relationship with God.

As we walk through the book of Mark this summer we're using a process called Lectio Divina to prayerfully meditate on specific passages. In this first week, we're focusing on Mark 1:29-31. You can follow along below or just listen. For more on this teaching series visit https://www.calvarylg.com/markPreparationFind a place where you can sit comfortably and without distraction. Pay attention to your posture and your breathing. Breathe slowly and deeply. Quiet your mind, giving yourself grace when it wanders. Use the following to guide you through your time with the Lord today.Prayer of InvitationI acknowledge God is with me and I ask Him to speak through the passage I'm about to read.God I know you are with me. Thank you for being here now. I pause to be still and to hear from you in this moment. Holy Spirit speak through the Word and fill my heart with the truth you want me to see, hear and live today.ReadAs I read the passage for today, slowly and out loud, I allow the words to sink deep into my heart and mind."As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So 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[Pause]ReflectAs I prepare to read the passage out loud again, I pause to pray:Father, your Word is living and active and I know You speak through it to your people. Would You highlight a word or phrase You want to share uniquely with me today?"As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them." Mark 1:29-31As I sense God highlight a word or phrase for me, I repeat that word or phrase, several times, quietly in my mind.[Pause]RehearseAs I read the passage out loud one final time, I allow the passage and God's Word for me sink in, I ask him specifically what next step He's asking me to take today.Father, how do you want me to apply this to my life today? Is there something I need to release to you? Is there something I need to repent of and turn back towards You? is there something You're calling me to step into today?"As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them." Mark 1:29-31I write a single sentence that reinforces how he's asking me to apply what I experienced to my life today.[Pause]As I prepare to take my time with the Lord into my day, I remember, Jesus who loves me says:“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”And I align myself with Jesus, praying the model he used when teaching the disciples, by praying the Lord's prayer:“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."Amen

Andy Davis preaches an expositional sermon on Mark 1:29-39. The sermon focuses on the nature of Jesus’ healing ministry and the importance of prayer and preaching in his ministry. - Sermon Transcript - Turn in your Bibles to Mark's Gospel, Chapter One. We're looking at verses 29 through 39 as we move through this incredible gospel message. We live in a world groaning in the pain and agony of physical disease. The worldwide ravages of disease are so devastating. The way that diseases destroy the body, the way that they change the pallor of the skin. They make people look gaunt or look like living skeletons. It's simply devastating to see. God hears the cry of the afflicted who cry out from their beds of pain and suffering begging God for relief. "How long, oh Lord, must I lie in this bed and suffer?" Some of you I know are dealing with chronic pain day after day with little or no relief. Others are in the middle of a serious battle with disease. You're undergoing heavy treatments and procedures and the hope of healing by the skills and insights of the medical community. More than that, however, you are crying to God directly for help, for healing. My desire is that this sermon will feed your faith as you cry out to God. That your faith will be fed. But your suffering is just a fraction of the overall worldwide groaning of a world swimming in a sea of disease and pain and death. When Adam sinned, he led the entire human race into the death penalty that God had imposed. God had warned Adam, "You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for on the day you eat of it, you will surely die." From the moment that Adam ate, he died spiritually, and he be began to die physically though it would not come for nine centuries. The Bible also teaches that in Adam, all of his descendants sinned and through Adam, all of us die as well. Disease is one of the main executioners of the human race. The mortality of the human body was exposed as part of Adam's death penalty. So even down to the cellular level, our bodies are dying. God and his judgment on our human race allowed, or maybe fashioned, various diseases to torment and to kill people all over the world. Medical science constantly records the nature and the symptoms and the effects of a staggering number of different diseases. In the year 2016, a study published by the University of Michigan Medical School asserted that there are roughly 10,000 diseases afflicting human beings with only about 500 known cures and treatments. Among the top 10 diseases causing the most deaths worldwide are coronary artery disease, number one, responsible for almost nine million deaths. Stroke, which killed 6.2 million in the year studied. Lower respiratory infection such as flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, tuberculosis, 3.2 million. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, 3.1 million. Respiratory cancers, 1.7 million, and diabetes, 1.6 million people a year. Since COVID-19 ran amok worldwide, people have been daily aware of the devastating effect of diseases as never before. As the consciousness of the whole world has, in some degree, been held in its iron grip since the first quarter of the year 2020. And there's no ultimate remedy for all these diseases. Suffering, the death that can come from the brilliance of human intellects, from the laboratories of pharmaceutical companies, from the blinding insights of physicians and microbiologists and epidemiologists. Certainly individual diseases can and have been eradicated. Clear example of this is smallpox, the greatest single killer of human beings in history, half a billion people. But old diseases still hang over us all like the sword of Damocles, twisting, suspended by a thread ready to fall at any moment. "For a brief moment in human history, a man appeared who had absolute, complete power over every disease and sickness known to man. And that man is Jesus Christ..." But for a brief moment in human history, a man appeared who had absolute, complete power over every disease and sickness known to man. And that man is Jesus Christ, and we're studying Him today. We're studying the power of Jesus Christ, the great physician, who entered the world to give us life and give it to us abundantly. And for a brief, perhaps maybe a three-year span, Jesus effectively banished disease and sickness from Palestine. Huge crowds thronged around Jesus. And the New Testament tells us he healed them all. He healed them all. Matthew 4:24, "News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them." Matthew 9:35, "Jesus went through all the towns and villages teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness." Mark 6:56, "And wherever he went-- into villages, towns or countryside-- they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed." There had never been a healing ministry like Jesus's before Him, nor has there been anything to that same degree since. Though Jesus did entrust a measure of his healing power to his apostles, it was nowhere near the staggering scope and dimensions of his own healing ministry. The annals of church history do not record any such healing ministry since the end of the age of the apostles. Though, certainly individual healings have come in answer to prayer in every generation, and some prayer warriors may have seen many such healings in their time. Yet, no one moved around from place to place with throngs of people around them, healing every disease and sickness they encountered. There's no record of that in 20 centuries of church history. Jesus alone, Jesus alone. And it was in direct fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy. As Matthew records in Matthew 8:17, "This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah. He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." So today we're going to look at the beginning of the healing ministry of Jesus and draw out some lessons from it. These themes we're going to see repeated again and again in Mark's gospel, but today it begins. And it begins, I believe, in the home of Simon Peter, with one woman, Simon's mother-in-law. So it's the beginning of Jesus' healing ministry. The Beginning of Jesus’ Healing Ministry (Mark 1:29-31) Look again at verses 29 through 31. “As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand, and helped her up. The fever left her, and she began to wait on them.” Jesus’ First Miracle Now, the Apostle John in his Gospel tells us that Jesus' first miracle was performed at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. Well, that means if that's true, literally true, that was his first miracle. It means that in all of his growing up years, his childhood, teen years on into the 20s, as he began his public ministry, supposedly around the age of 30, approximately age of 30, all that first 30 years, he never did a single miracle. His miracle work and career had to start somewhere, and it started at a wedding. And so John 2:11 says, "This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee." Changed a huge amount of water into wine. That's how it started. He thus revealed his glory and his disciples put their faith in Him. But the healings, it seemed, waited for this occasion, around this time. And they would make up the overwhelming bulk of his miracles. Overwhelming bulk of his signs or healings. The Context: Leaving the Synagogue of Capernaum After Sabbath Worship So what is the context? Well, he's leaving the synagogue of Capernaum after Sabbath worship. So they're moving out. They've had Sabbath worship. They're in the synagogue of Capernaum. We studied this last week. Jesus had been teaching in the synagogue with amazing authority. No one had ever heard anyone teach with that kind of authority. And they were astonished. And then suddenly a man, demon possessed, stands up and cries out to Him. "What do you want with us? Jesus, Son of the Most High God, swear to God that you won't torture us." “And Jesus says, "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.” Saw this last week. And the people's reaction was overwhelmed. Verse 27, 28. "The people were so amazed that they asked each other, 'What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey Him.' And news about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee." So that's what happened. Saw it last week. Now, the Sabbath worship at the synagogue was over. Generally, we're told it ended around noon. And so they were going out and they went to Simon and Andrew's house. Simon and Andrew’s House (Mark 1:29) Look at verse 29. "As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew." So Simon, who we best know as Peter, lived with his brother, Andrew, and his family in a house there in Capernaum. So they were successful enough as a fisherman to own their own house. Archeologists believe that they have found a house that may well have been Peter's house. It was dated at that same time, whether it was Peter's or not gives a sense of what the house might have looked like. One commentator described it this way, "The house has doors and windows that open to an interior courtyard rather than outward to the street. The courtyard accessed by a gateway from the street was the center of the lives of the dwellings around it, containing hearths, millstones for grain, hand presses, and stairways to the roofs of dwellings. The dwellings were constructed of heavy walls of black basalt over which a flat roof of wood and fat was placed." So that's what it might have looked like. So, after the amazing events in the synagogue in Capernaum, Peter, Andrew, James, and John and others connected with the family would've been talking with great excitement as they made their way to Simon and Andrew's house. So presumably Simon and Andrew had invited Jesus to join them for a Sabbath noontime meal. But as they're going there, a cloud hangs over that family. A cloud hangs over it because Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever. Simon’s Mother-in-Law and Her Fever (Mark 1:30) Look at verse 30. "Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her." Now, if we could just stop and say, this is just significant, we have to note things along the way. It's not the main point of the text, but we find out in this way that Simon Peter was married. Friends, I don't know any other way to get a mother-in-law. I don't think that's possible. All right? The only way you get a mother-in-law is to have a wife. And so he was married. Paul mentions in first Corinthians 9:5 that Peter took his wife along with him on some of his missionary journeys. So he had said, "Don't we have the right to take along a wife, as Peter does?" Peter being married is significant in church history because the Roman Catholic church identifies Peter as the first Pope and also mandates clerical celibacy for all of its clerics, all of its priests, no marriage. So there's something jarring there from the very beginning, who they consider to be the first Pope, clearly married. So that's just something to note. At any rate, at that point, the deep concern was for her health. She was sick with a fever. Luke 4:38 tells us that she had a very high fever. She's burning up. This is a very serious medical condition. There was not much that rudimentary medical science at that point could do for her. So she was in trouble, and the scripture says that they told Jesus about her. That's such a picture of prayer for me. Just like I began in my pastoral prayer. Sir, we would like to see Jesus. There's just so many moments. They told Jesus about her. So just stop right there. Here's application. Tell Jesus about it. Just bring the sick people you know to the Lord in prayer. As the hymn says, what a friend we have in Jesus. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Just tell Jesus about it still. The Healing (Mark 1:31) So then we have the healing, verse 31, “He went to her, took her by the hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.” So Jesus lived the life of a servant. We'll see this again. Any need that's brought to Jesus, he just goes and deals with it. He hardly ever says no. There's really no actually clear example of Him ever refusing. So he just immediately goes. We also will see again and again, how often Jesus used physical touch in his healing. He loved to touch people to heal them. And more on that in a moment. Now, as soon as he touches this woman, the fever left her immediately, immediately healed. There's no need for convalescence, no need to recover her strength. No one brought her chicken soup with noodles. She's not resting at all. She's immediately ready to go. She felt strength and energy in her body and got up and served the guests that were there for the afternoon meal. So what is fever? I had to look it up. I'm not a doctor, but I'm interested in fevers. What causes the body to raise its temperature? Medical science can explain these things. Fever is the body's response to a bacterial or viral infection. It mobilizes the body's immune system to kill the infectious agents, the bacteria or the virus. The body can handle the higher temperatures better than the infectious agents can. The hypothalamus, which sits at the base of the brain, regulates body temperature. It is triggered to raise the body temperature when the immune system identifies a pathogen, the cause of the infection in the body. So the immune system sends a signal to the hypothalamus by things called pyrogenes, related to the word for fire, something that creates a fire, heat, in the bloodstream. When the hypothalamus registers these pyrogenes, it raises the body's temperature, and you get a fever. So what did Jesus do when he took her by the hand? Well, there's no medical explanation for this other than a miracle. Whatever infectious agent was in this woman's body is instantly destroyed. It's gone. Furthermore, the pyrogenes are instantly removed from the bloodstream. The hypothalamus instantly reset to normal. Fever abated instantly. Like the stilling of a storm, it quieted down immediately. Her forehead got cool. Her clothes would've been still wet from her fever sweat, just like the boat in the storm would've still been filled with water. There were still effects of it, but she was a 100% healthy. She felt strength in her body and stood up. So medical science is getting more and more brilliant down to the cellular level, like tailor made cures that study your particular genetic tendencies, and it's incredible the things that they're doing. Let me tell you something. When science travels the end of an amazingly complex road, they're going to find Jesus was already there. I mean, down to the cellular level, just done. We're going to see that with the leper as well. Whatever cellular destruction was happening through leprosy was cured. Clean. We'll get to that, God willing. At any rate, she's cured. She stands up to serve. “When science travels the end of an amazingly complex road, they're going to find Jesus was already there.” Well, this just opens the floodgate. A river of healing starts. Coupled with the demon-possessed man and news about Him had spread. And now this, so verse 32 to 34, “That evening after sunset, the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon possessed. The whole town gathered at the door and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.” So the Sabbath began at sunset the day before Friday evening, and then would continue to sunset Saturday evening. The Jewish community was waiting breathlessly for the Sabbath to end, so that the healing could just really start, like a river of healings. So they want to get to Peter's house. They're going to flood to Peter's house. As soon as the sun goes down, they want to bring Jesus all these sick people to heal. This began a river of miracles that would characterize his ministry for the rest of the time. So Jesus went out to the doorway, perhaps a gateway into which one could go into the central courtyard at Peter's house. And Jesus began addressing them one at a time, if we understand his usual pattern. They brought demon-possessed people, especially, showing that demon possession was of various types. And there's the demoniac of the gatherings who can't be restrained by chains. He's out of his mind. But then there are others that could be led even with a demonic affliction, led to a certain place to be cured. So it's all different levels. So Jesus drove out the demons. The powerful, forceful action, like a military blow in the spiritual dimension, like the rolling on of the kingdom of light and rolling back the kingdom of darkness. It can't be stopped. Demons have no power against Jesus. Jesus also forbade the demons from speaking. As we saw last time and also in the book of James, the demons have accurate theological knowledge. They get it right theologically, but they hate God. The text openly says so. They knew who he was. They knew who Jesus was, but Jesus forbade them from saying anything about Him at all. He wanted his messengers, his ambassadors to be us. That's our role. It is committed to us, the ministry of reconciliation. Do you see what a privilege that is? That we get to speak these stories and tell lost people about Jesus. Demons do not have that right. Elements of Jesus’ Healing Ministry All right, so let's just stop and look at elements of Jesus' healing ministry. We're going to see it throughout the gospel and in all the gospels. So I'm going to give you seven words that describe Jesus' healing ministry. First of all, successful. That's a good place to start, don't you think? Successful. Jesus never failed. Every case was addressed successfully. He never lost a patient. Secondly, universal. There was no disease or sickness he could not heal. He was not a specialist, but he addressed every possible disease and sickness that was ever brought to him. Especially organic, deep, chronic conditions. These were easily healed by Jesus. Universal. Thirdly, effortless, effortless. There was no struggle. There was nothing that Jesus found particularly difficult. I've thought of this before. If you asked Jesus at the end of a long day of healing, of all the cases you faced today, which was the hardest, what would he say? If he had a sense of humor, he'd laugh. None of them, none of them are hard. Effortless. Fourth, instantaneous. We've already talked about that with the mother-in-law. She's instantaneously healed. There's no process. There's no convalescence period, no need to regain strength. Fifth, personal, personal. Jesus often preferred to touch people. He tended to seek out a relationship with someone. Like the woman, with the issue of blood, all that. He wanted to talk to her. He wants a relationship with her. He's looking for a relationship. It's personal. He loved to heal people one-on-one, one at a time by touch. Loved to touch people. Seeking a relationship. There is no record of group healings. There is a record of group feeding, but there's no end of the day, there's 500 more people to heal, and he just heals them all and goes home. It doesn't go like that. It may have, but there's no overt record of it. Personal. Six, free. I mean, financially. I'm not in any way disparaging people who make their money by medical things. A lot of my best friends are doctors and they do that. A lot of you. So it's like, ah, you're treading on some toes now. But Jesus did send out his disciples saying, "Freely you have received, freely give." They didn't charge anything either. So he did it financially for free. Now Americans spend on average $12,500 per person per year on medical things, on average. 4.1 trillion a year spent on health. This is nothing new. The woman with the bleeding problem, Mark 5:26, "She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors, and had spent all she had yet. Instead of getting better, she only grew worse." By the way, it doesn't surprise me that Luke, the doctor, didn't include that in his gospel. Moving on. Seventh. Varied, Jesus used a lot of different approaches. He wasn't always the same. Take his healing of blind people. Sometimes he spit and made mud and put it on a man's eyes. He did that once. Another time, he spit directly on a man's eyes and touched him. Another time he just spoke. Just different approaches every time. So these are seven elements or characteristics of Jesus' healing ministry: successful, universal, effortless, instantaneous, personal, free and varied. “…Seven elements or characteristics of Jesus' healing ministry: successful, universal, effortless, instantaneous, personal, free and varied.” All right, well, what do the healings signify? They're called signs. What are they pointing to? What do they teach us? Well, first of all, most importantly for us personally, they signify spiritual healing. The real healing we need is not primarily physical. It is spiritual. We're going to talk about this as the time comes with the paralyzed man who's let down by his friends and Jesus does not heal him physically at first, but just says, "Your sins are forgiven." That's the priority structure. And then Jesus will liken his physical healing ministry to the real spiritual healing ministry that's necessary. Luke 5:31-32. "Jesus answered them, 'It's not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.'" The sickness is sin. The healing is repentance and the forgiveness of sins, and Jesus alone can do that, the atoning work. Secondly, Jesus' healing ministry signified human weakness and inability, powerlessness. It says in Romans Chapter 5, “when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly”. We're powerless. Jesus' healing ministry pictures human powerlessness, inability. Can't see. Jesus heals, you can see. Can't walk. Jesus heals, you can walk. Can't hear. Jesus heals, now you can hear. Human inability. We can't fix ourselves. We need a savior. That's what it's teaching. And then thirdly, it signifies a world to come in which there'll be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. Amen. Hallelujah. It's a sign of a world to come. The real healing is yet to come. It's called resurrection. And at the resurrection, we're going to get resurrection bodies that will never have disease or injury ever again and will not die. And I believe in a dynamic ongoing healthiness of the resurrection body. I don't see anything severed from God. Everything comes from the throne of God. The river of the water of life flows from the throne of God. And on each side of the river of the water of life is the tree of life. And it's got leaves and crops 12 months a year. And the leaves of the tree, it says, are for the healing of the nations. You're like, "Well, I thought you already told this last chapter, there's no more death, mourning, crying, or pain." Yes, because of a river of health flowing from the throne of God. That's why. It's not independent health. It's not like God says, "All right, you're set. Off you go." No, in Him we will forever live and move and have our being. So those are the three significant aspects of Jesus' healing ministry. None of his healings was a permanent solution to the problem of disease. None of them. All of the people he healed later died. All of them. Some of them, I would imagine, got sick or injured within days or weeks or months after that. We have no record of anyone coming back for healing, but why wouldn't they? I'm sure he did, but we just don't have anybody doing that. Death is the final enemy, the last enemy that's going to be with us to the end. It's not permanent. What the Healings Proved About Jesus All right, what do these healings prove about Jesus? First, they show his compassion. He's a compassionate God. He cares about our suffering. It's the number one emotional state ascribed to Jesus, is compassion. Secondly, they show his power. There's nothing he cannot do. This is the omnipotent Son of God. There's nothing he cannot do. And thirdly, ultimately, they show his identity as Son of God. What kind of person can do all this? Only God, that's what they teach. Now, what is the link between healing and faith? How do we connect healing and faith? Frequently, Jesus linked them. "According to your faith, it will be done to you." So Bartimaeus, he says that to him. "According to your faith, it will be done to you." But not always. As a matter of fact, some of the people Jesus healed didn't believe at all. The guy in John 5 turned Him into the temple police. Jesus came later and said, "Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." he didn't look on him as converted. Just because he healed him didn't mean he converted him. But these miracles, the whole accumulated evidence of Jesus, were a valid basis for the saving faith of people who were being saved. Jesus said so in John 14:11. He said, "Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father's in me, or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves." Believe on the evidence of the miracles. It's a valid basis for our faith. John said openly in John 20:31, "Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written, these miracle accounts are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God and believing you may have life in his name." It's a totally valid thing to say, "I believe in Jesus, the Healer, I believe in Jesus the Wonder Worker, the Miracle Worker, I believe he's the Son of God." It's totally valid. That's why the scriptures were written. Prayer Fueled Jesus’ Healing Ministry (Mark 1:35) All right, let's move on now. And in the account, we see the undergirding power of Jesus' healing ministry was his prayer life. Look at verse 35, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place where he prayed." This is one of the great verses in the Bible on a daily quiet time. Just basic principles of a daily quiet time. A time with the Lord. All right? It's a striking glimpse into Jesus' private, spiritual life. Jesus absolutely relied on prayer. He wanted, he yearned for time with his Father. He loved to be with his Father, and that time guided Him and it gave Him power. Jesus is our role model. Our prayer lives are generally weak. I've never met anyone that has expressed complete, perfect satisfaction with their prayer lives. Would you say that to me? "Pastor, I got to tell you, I am a 100% satisfied with my prayer life. It's exactly how it should be." I've never met anyone like that. We all know we have a way to grow, and Jesus is our role model. He definitely came to shed his blood on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for our sins so that through faith and that blood, all of our sins may be forgiven. That was the center ministry he came to do, but he also came to be our role model, to give us a pattern of life we could follow. Jesus is our role model. As 1 Peter 2:21 says, "Christ left you an example. You should follow in his steps." So look at the details. I'm like, "Pastor, I'd really rather not look at the details because it says very early in the morning while it was still dark. I mean, you don't mean me, do you?" Yes, I do mean you. Very early in the morning while it's still dark. Morning is the best time for a quiet time. It's not the only time. You can have a quiet time at the end of the day, but a long time ago I learned, I don't think it's in the Bible anywhere, but I read somewhere an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Now that's not in the Bible. That was Ben Franklin, I think. What does that mean? It's better that the bad thing not happen than that you can pick up the pieces after the bad thing. So I just took that and applied it to a morning quiet time. Would it be better to not have the bad day and pick it up at the end of the day and feel better about it? I'd rather get my brain, my mind, my heart, my body, ready for the day at the beginning of the day, and then go off into the plan that God has for me. At least that was Jesus's pattern. So he got up very early in the morning, still dark. Before the world gets cranking, before the world can clamor for your attention. I might recommend you do something with this nasty little thing. Set it aside. Turn it off, put it on airplane mode. Put it in a box and latch the box, and just focus your mind. Don't let the world steal from you that time that you can have with the Lord. It's sacrifice. And the world can't clamor for your attention. Mothers of little ones, the babies aren't sleeping yet. It's like, "But they got to bed really late last night, I need a few extra hours." It's fine. I'm not being legalistic. I'm just saying the kids aren't up and crying yet. You have a chance to meet with the Lord, a chance to pray. And it says he got up. He got up. I'll never forget my missions professor, Christie Wilson, told this story. And it was about a man that used to get up regularly at four of the morning for prayer time, for several hours of prayer. I'm not advocating or saying, but a young man came to him and said, "How do you do it?" he said, "I'm going to tell you my secret. Young man, I get up." There it is. That's the secret. Young man, I get up. Well, that's what the text says. He got up. So he just gets up. He got tired just like any of us. He got tired before. He was tired from his journey before he talked to the woman at the well. He fell asleep right before the stilling of the storm. Jesus got tired like any of us. Imagine the day he just had that Sabbath day. Sun goes down, and he heals tons of people. The next day, he gets up very early, and it says he went off to a solitary place. He got away from people so he could focus. I think that it is wonderful and it is good to learn to pray without ceasing. That's what 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says. That's the continual prayer that you offer up. That's a good thing, but it's not the same thing as having a focused time of prayer in which you're free from all distractions. You're away from people if you can be, and you're able to focus on the Father and pray. There's a deeper level of intimacy. And God sometimes speaks to us like he did with Elijah on Mount Horeb, in a still, small voice. You just need to get away and focus and be able to have God speak to you. And he prayed. And in this way, I believe that the Father communicated love to the Son. Remember at his baptism, the Father said, "You are my Son. You are my Son. With you, I am well pleased." I think the Father continued to say that kind of thing to the Son, to reassure Him of his love for Him. And Jesus said of his own ministry, his own life, John 8:29. "The One who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases Him." How did he know that? Well, he's God, truly, but also because God told Him, "What you have done today pleases me." Wouldn't you love a time like that with Almighty God? To have God tell you again, "I love you. You're my son, my daughter, your sins are forgiven. You're going to heaven when you die. I'm with you. And the things you're doing are pleasing to me." Just to hear that from Him. How sweet is that? And then, also, Jesus, I believe, every day got his marching orders from the Father. He found out what the Father wanted Him to do. It says in Isaiah, "The Lord has given me awakened ear to listen like one being taught." Says that in Isaiah. And so he would listen, and you know how it says in Ephesians 2:10 that we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do what? Good works, which God prepared in advance, that we should walk in them. Don't you think he’d do that with Jesus too? Prepared some good works in advance that he should walk in them. And so Jesus just walked perfectly in the good works the Father had prepared in advance for Him. This explains a great mystery to me. Jesus was a great man. How can you have those kinds of great responsibilities? To be a great man and be apparently infinitely interruptible? Didn't matter who interrupted Him. A woman, children, a group of people, Jesus immediately is available and yet incredibly effective in three years. Perfect ministry, atone for sin, dies and goes to heaven. Eternal. A perfect ministry, three years. How do you do both? Both efficient and effective? Interrupted and all that? Well, the way he did is everything had been worked out ahead of time. And the interruptions that happened were part of God's plan, and he never despised them. And the way he did it is, he knew that he didn't do anything apart from the Father. John 5:29, "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself. He can only do what he sees his Father doing because whatever the Father does, the Son also does. I do nothing apart from what the Father told me to do." Again, John 8:28, "I don't say anything. I do nothing my own, but I speak just what the Father has taught me." So the Father told Him what to speak. He says the same thing again in John 12:49-50. "I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life, so whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say." Now, I don't in any way minimize a moment-by-moment sense of the presence of the Father between the Father and the Son and all that. But I think there's nothing wrong with saying, so what do you think Jesus prayed about? And what do you think happened early in the morning? he's getting ready for his day of ministry, getting ready for his teaching ministry, hearing from the Father what to say and do. And then not only apart from the Father, Jesus did nothing, but apart from the Spirit, Jesus did nothing that he would be empowered by the Spirit for his day of ministry. Peter said in Acts 10:38 that "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. And he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil because God was with Him." God was with Him through the Holy Spirit. So this was an insight I had within the last year or two. It occurred to me, just as Jesus did nothing apart from the will of the Father, he also did nothing, no miracles or no teachings apart from the power of the Holy Spirit. The Father, the Son, and the Spirit perfectly work together at all times. And so Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, went into the desert for his temptation, Luke 4:1. And then Jesus returned out of the time of temptation, Luke 4:14, full of the Holy Spirit. He entered the desert and left the desert full of the Holy Spirit. He did everything by the power of the Spirit. “Just as Jesus did nothing apart from the will of the Father, he also did nothing, no miracles or no teachings apart from the power of the Holy Spirit.” So what about us, brothers and sisters? What about us? If a sinless Jesus needed a good quiet time every day with the Father, how much more do we? Are you daily meeting with the Lord for Bible intake and prayer? That's what I want to ask you. The Priority of Preaching in Jesus’ Healing Ministry (Mark 1:36-39) Next, the priority of preaching in Jesus' healing ministry. Look at verse 36 and 37. Simon and his companions went to look for Him. When they found Him, they exclaimed, "Everyone is looking for you." What's going on there? There's a hidden request. What are you doing here? Bunch of people waiting for you back in Capernaum, right? It's almost like they had a vision that Jesus was going to be the house chaplain, and he was going to stay in that one house and people would come for healing and he would just be there and do those awesome teaching things and just be here. So Jesus didn't do that. He didn't come to be a localized chaplain. All right? And he didn't come to meet their physical needs and heal them day after day after day. He came to preach the Word. Look at verses 38-39. "Jesus replied, 'Let us go somewhere else, to the nearby villages so I can preach there also. That is why I have come. ' So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons." All of the healings were temporary, as I've said. The preaching was the key to everything. The preaching was the priority. Why is that? Because our souls need salvation, and salvation comes from hearing and believing the Word of God. Hearing and believing the Word of God. And Jesus could not stay in just one locality. He had to travel around. So you remember Isaiah 49:6, the Father said to the Son, "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the Earth." So if it's too small a thing for him just to be Israel's Savior, how much more is it too small a thing for Him to stay in Capernaum at that one house and heal whoever came to the doorstep? No, no. He had a ministry to move out and preach the gospel. Applications for Us from Jesus’ Healing Ministry All right. Applications. Well, the first application I've already hit hard, and that is your daily quiet time. How is your prayer life? And if the Lord is speaking conviction to you, don't feel negative. It's not a matter of what you to do. It's a matter of what you get to do. I mean, if you had a chance to meet tomorrow morning with Almighty God in a time of prayer, in which he assures you of his love and then tells you what good works he has for you to do that day, how could you miss it? And so just begin some new patterns. Also look at the core elements of Jesus' ministry. His healings, his prayer, and his preaching. Understand all of it led to one thing and that is the salvation of souls. Especially the preaching of the Word. And so I beg you, each of you that are hearing me today, be certain that your sins are forgiven through faith in Christ. That was the key to everything. That's the message that's being preached. That's why the Son of God became incarnate. That's why he died on the cross and shed his blood is so that sinners like you and me who are such mess-ups, who are so sick in our sin. Yes, we're physically sick, and we're physically injured. I get it. But we are spiritually sick, spiritually injured. Jesus came to save us. And that happens through repentance and faith in the gospel. Are you a Christian? Have you received the gospel? Have you received forgiveness of sins? And then look what all of this is teaching, what the whole gospel is teaching. That Jesus is the son of God, his deity. I'm beginning to realize more and more, the more I meditate on this, I will not get to one millionth of a percent of understanding of what that means. Do you realize that Simon Peter said under the inspiration of the Father, the Father revealed, "You are the Christ, the Son of God." He said that. "You're the Christ, the Son of God." Do you know what he did a minute later? He took to Jesus aside and rebuked him. Can I just stop and just say something simple? Never rebuke the Son of God. Let's just keep it simple. He's never doing anything wrong. He doesn't need your input. He doesn't need your advice. All of that flows from unbelief. What did it tell me? Peter didn't really understand what Son of God meant. And then the next thing, in the next chapter, he's up on the mount of transfiguration and thinks that Jesus needs a booth along with Moses and Elijah. Oh, the three of them, side by side. And a bright cloud has to appear and say, "This is my son whom I love. Do you know who I am? Do you know who I am? Do you know who Jesus is?" That's the thing. And we can have a phrase. I know he is the Son of God, but we don't have one millionth percent of understanding of that. So saturate your mind in these accounts. Expand your sense of the greatness of Christ and trust in Him. Close with me in prayer. Father, we thank you for the things that we've learned today in the gospel of Mark. It's really amazing. There's so many things to learn. We thank you for Jesus' healing ministry, how powerful and universal and unique and effortless it was. But you know that the real healing that he needs to do in all of us is healing from sin. And so, Lord, work in us an ongoing deep work of repentance. Turn us away from wickedness and sin. Turn us to purity and holiness, that we might live a life worthy of the Lord and might bring glory to your name while we live in this world. In Jesus' name, amen.