Glimpses of Grace
Mark 1: 29-39
The rapid pace of events continues as we progress through Mark’s Gospel. Jesus and the disciples have left the synagogue and immediately entered the house of Simon Peter and Andrew, his brother. This would not be a leisurely afternoon. Upon arriving Jesus begins attending to present needs within the home. Our text today moves from one event to another, in succession.
As we look at these events, again we find the love, compassion, and commitment of Jesus for the needs of others, as well as His devotion to His Father. I would like to examine these moments individually as we consider: Glimpses of Grace.
I. A Private Moment (29-31) – These verses describe a private moment within the house of Simon Peter. I am thankful for those private moments with our Lord. Consider:
A. The Timing (29) – And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Bear in mind they have just left the synagogue, and are likely going to share a meal together following the service. Jesus had spoken with authority and cast out an unclean spirit. They had experienced a great spiritual moment, and yet the demands of life and ministry continued. There was no time to rest from the work.
B. The Trouble (30) – But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. This doesn’t appear to be a life-threatening illness, but it was certainly an inconvenience. She had probably intended to prepare a meal for them, but was sick and unable to carry out her duties. (The magnitude of this problem didn’t compare to the needs within the synagogue, but it was a problem that had to be addressed. Jesus did not hesitate; He wasn’t reluctant to address the smaller, seemingly insignificant problems. He showed compassion for her need as well.)
C. The Touch (31) – And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. It is possible that the fever would have run its course in a few hours, but Jesus did not neglect her need. He had power over the fever within her body and provided the healing she desired. His touch brought immediate healing and she rose and ministered to them. (There is no problem we face that Jesus can’t handle. Whether they appear big or small, the Lord is concerned with our need and able to provide for us!)
II. A Public Moment (32-34) – Mark records that Jesus went from a private moment, within the home in the afternoon, to a public moment later that evening. Consider:
A. The Momentum (32) – And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. Following the events at the synagogue that morning, the fame of Jesus began to spread throughout the region of Galilee. Word had spread through Capernaum that Jesus had power to heal and cast out unclean spirits. The people began to recognize there was something special about this man, and they came to find Him. (I am thankful for the moment I heard of the power of Jesus and responded by faith. I had witnessed His power in the lives of others and eventually saw my need for His gracious touch!)
B. The Multitude (33) – And all the city was gathered together at the door. This wasn’t a small gathering of friends or well-wishers. The entire city of Capernaum had gathered at the door of Peter’s house. Granted, Capernaum was a small town, but everyone in town had come to see and benefit from the presence of Jesus. Clearly many came because they had need; some likely came out of curiosity, and others came because they felt drawn to Jesus. (I am reminded this was the result of people telling others about Jesus. As His fame spread, people came to see Him. We must be committed to telling others of our wonderful Savior. They might just show up some Sunday morning to see for themselves!)
C. The Miracles (34) – And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. Jesus did not turn the people away, or demand they come back at a more suitable hour. He immediately began to heal the sick and cast out many devils. He met the needs of the vast multitude in a miraculous way. (This reminds us of His compassion toward our individual needs and the awesome power He possesses. Regardless of what we face, whether it be sickness, disease, or the need of salvation, Jesus is able to provide. We may never encounter His miracles in a manner such as this, but I am thankful for His gracious touch and redeeming power in my life!)
III. A Precious Moment (35) – And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Here we catch a glimpse of a very precious moment in the life and ministry of our Savior. Notice:
A. The Priority – We find that Jesus rose early in the morning, a great while before daylight to spend time with His Father. He knew the importance of such communion and was determined to start His day in fellowship with the Father. He had experienced much the day before and was compelled to talk with the Father. (This is encouraging and also very convicting. Jesus was God in the flesh. He was fully God and fully man, and yet He recognized the need to fellowship with the Father. How much more should we desire to spend time with the Lord? If Jesus made it a priority, we certainly should as well.)
B. The Place (35) – Jesus departed from Capernaum unto a solitary place to commune with the Father. It is possible that He enjoyed the solitude and the scenery, but I am convinced He desired a place without distraction. He wanted to have some quality time with the Father, apart from anyone else or the demands of life. (I would encourage every believer to find and protect that place of quiet solitude in order to spend quality time with the Lord. It needs to be a familiar place, apart from any distraction or other demands. We should be committed to going to our place of quiet solitude to fellowship with our Lord on a daily basis. If Jesus needed it, we surely do also.)
C. The Purpose (35) – Jesus rose early and went to this solitary place for one purpose – to pray unto the Father. He felt the need to spend quality time in prayer. We don’t know how long He was there, but I am sure He enjoyed this time of conversation with the Father. Jesus knew the Father intimately and longed to talk with Him.
I am aware that Jesus was with the Father in eternity past. I know that He inhabited the glories of heaven prior to His incarnation. He is God in flesh, and yet He longed to talk with the Father. We too should possess an urgent desire to commune with our Savior in prayer. If Jesus felt the need to pray, we should be compelled to pray. Surely He sought strength from the Father. We stand in need of His strength and wisdom as we strive to serve Him among the distractions and stress of life.
IV. A Profitable Moment (36-39) – In these closing verses we discover a profitable moment in the lives of the disciples as they interacted with the Master. Consider:
A. The Search (36) – And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. As Peter and the other disciples woke to find Jesus gone, they began searching for Him. There is nothing to suggest a sense of panic, but a clear desire to find Jesus and be near to Him. These men had committed their lives to following Jesus and were determined to find Him and join Him in His work that day.
As I pondered their efforts, I wondered how long it would take the average believer to recognize they were not in Jesus’ presence. We need the same desire and determination of the disciples to seek the Lord daily, longing to be in His presence and engaged in the work of ministry.
B. The Sentiment (37-38) – And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. [38] And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. This doesn’t appear to be an open rebuke, but rather and inquiry as to the intentions of the Lord. The multitudes from Capernaum remained and the disciples assumed the Lord would need to return to the city and minister unto them. However, Jesus had another plan in mind. He was not unconcerned with the needs in Capernaum, but He realized He must go into the other towns and villages to preach the Gospel. That was the purpose for His coming.
It is easy for us to develop “tunnel vision” at times while serving the Lord. If we aren’t careful we will focus on current or pressing needs and fail to see the big picture. Staying in our Capernaum can do a lot of good for certain individuals, but often the Lord has something else in mind. Many times we allow good things to hinder us from doing the best things. Capernaum is comfortable and familiar, but the Lord may want us to extend our influence to other areas of need.
C. The Standard (39) – And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. Jesus set a precedent very early in His ministry. He would return to Capernaum and minister there again later, but He did not allow His ministry to be confined to a specific area or group of people. He preached throughout Galilee, revealing Himself as the Christ in towns and villages wherever He went. Jesus knew all men needed to hear the Gospel. He would command the disciples to take the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth and He set the example for them to follow.
There is no room for contentment or satisfaction when it comes to sharing the Gospel. We cannot focus on one geographic area or a certain group of people alone. I do not minimize the individual needs of anyone, but we must follow the Lord’s example and command. As long as there are people who have yet to hear the Gospel, we have a work to perform. May we be as Christ was, and share the Gospel wherever we go, with whomever we meet!
Conclusion: This has been an interesting passage of Scripture, giving us an intimate look into the daily life and interaction of our Lord. He was compassionate and gracious to all people, while seeing the need to reach all who had yet to hear. He is more than able to meet whatever needs we face, and provide the strength and wisdom to serve Him. If there are needs in your life, bring them to the Lord. I also hope this has challenged us to take the Gospel message to the world, striving to share Him with all we meet in life.
