Mark 1:16-45
Introduction
I suddenly noticed, as I was preparing and assembling this week’s material that the picture,
we have in Mark is similar to that of Acts.
As we saw last week Mark is eager to show us Jesus in action and after his brief
introductions with truncated accounts of some events, after the Baptism of Jesus and his
anointing with the Spirit, we see Jesus starts to preach Kingdom and repentance, calls his
disciples and then we have signs of the presence of the kingdom.
Acts 1 is Luke's link from his gospel to the current book and fills in a few details between
Jesus' Ascension and Pentecost.
At Pentecost we see the outpouring of the Spirit on those first followers, the Kingdom,
death and resurrection of Jesus being proclaimed, people repenting and being baptised.
What follows? Signs of the presence of the Kingdom!
How wonderful it would be if in our worship we listened to God, engaged with him, sought
his presence and the filling of the Spirit and then went out and showed signs of the
presence of the Kingdom!
I am not saying we don't but I think it is fair to say we are not showing the presence of the
Kingdom with the power we could or should. I am making a generalisation and issuing us
with a challenge.
Given where we are at and where the world is - back to the start - something needs to
happen! To that end we need real repentance and seeking God whole heartedly.
We are doing that today but what about in the 24 hours from midnight tonight in the
chaplaincy prayer vigil? I suggest we use that hour to look to the sovereign power of the
Lord to fall in an old but new way - here and elsewhere!
1. Calling the task force, part 1
- vv 16-19
[16] 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. [17] “Come, follow me,” Jesus said,
“and I will send you out to fish for people.” [18] At once they left their nets and followed
him.
[19] When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John
in a boat, preparing their nets. [20] Without delay he called them, and they left their
father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
This passage has to be read in conjunction with John 1:35ff where we see the first
encounters Jesus has with some of the disciples, he calls formally now to follow him.
Interestingly as well, two of them, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, are described as having
been John's disciples!
So as Jesus calls them, these guys are already fired up at some level by the preaching of
John and have spent some time themselves with Jesus.
This then is not what we call 'cold calling' but something of an informed call to be disciples
of Jesus. They will discover they have a lot to change over the next three years
regarding their thinking and understanding of the mission of the Kingdom - shocks await
them.
There is also an immediate 'cost' in that they leave their employment in the hands of others
although I hastily add we see them fishing on later occasions and the last being in John 21
post resurrection.
So, as so often, we don't have a full picture - but then, it's not really
relevant, only interesting.
The reality then is that they have embarked on a three-year discipleship course which
maybe they part funded by doing some fishing now and again and, as it was a business,
hired men are mentioned in v 20, perhaps they had something from any profits the business
made!
Clearly there are changes; of a break from work and to some degree or other within family
life but the extent of it is never clear possibly because, again, it isn't that significant to the
message.
The message, for them, at this point is that they are going to have a change of
occupation - v 17.
What is your cost in following Jesus and what changes has it made to the way you shape, or
have shaped, your life, family, finances and career?
If little or nothing then what do we
mean by discipleship?
We note that later on Jesus is going to say that to follow him involves
taking up your cross to follow - that means sacrificial service!
2. Challenging the expected and confronting evil spirits - vv 21-28
[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 impure 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 impure 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 impure spirits and they obey him.”
[28] News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
It's Saturday - the Sabbath, they are in Capernaum, they go to the synagogue and Jesus, an
untrained teacher, begins to teach. I say that because as far as we see Jesus has had no
formal training but given who he is establishes himself not just as a teacher but an
outstanding teacher!
He has a natural and apparent authority, v 22, and I suspect the folk actually understood
him not like the normal teachers of the law.
He was a breath of fresh air.
But then, what preachers and congregations dread, is an uninvited interruption.
On this
occasion it's not a little heckling or someone putting in their two penneth, this is rather
dramatic as a man enters and cries out . . .
We are told he has in impure spirit, the word also means, 'unclean'. There are three things
to note:
1. At that moment it has control of him
2. Jesus' presence is something of a threat to either the man or the spirit or both -
v 24a - have you come to destroy us?
3. The unclean spirit tells the truth - v 24b - I know who you are - the holy one of
God.
Without us going off on a tangent regarding demonisation I think what we need to see is
that this is disruptive and destructive. It stops Jesus teaching as he wishes and announces
truth in a way that is unhelpful.
Jesus, as we shall see a little later and in other passages, does not want his full identity
revealed yet - he has too much teaching to give to explain who he is before it is made more
public.
The latter actually only happens as the cross draws closer.
Jesus, v 25, rebukes the spirit and, with quite a do and a lot of noise, the spirit leaves him.
The result is amazement and explanation from all present - not criticism for healing on the
Sabbath, that's just around the corner!
What is significant is the question - v 27: what is this?
People are reacting and responding to
Jesus.
As Jesus had power and authority so does his name and preaching, praying and sharing in
his name. Beware and don't be shocked!
As we pray tomorrow in our prayer vigil let's pray for the power and authority of Jesus to be
manifest among us and through us - and more widely!
3. Caring and receiving care - vv 29-34
After Saturday worship and teaching off go the small group, more are yet to be called, to the
home of Simon and Andrew.
From drama in the synagogue we move to a domestic and homely setting but all is not well,
well, at least Simon's mother in law isn't - she has a fever and it's reported to Jesus who
heals her and before long lunch is on the table - so to speak!
Saved to serve - and the care Jesus showed enabled her to care for Jesus, her sons and
James and John.
This is a rare window of life amongst the disciples - Peter had a mother in law - I am told Les
Dawson used some of Peter's jokes - which means he was married and probably had
children.
This is an indicator of real life and what Peter was going to have to work and live
with as time goes on and he becomes a key leader.
This is true for others as probably all or most of the twelve would be married and families
and responsibilities. Jesus too, although single, had family responsibilities along with his
brothers and sisters for Mum Mary after Dad Joseph died.
Let's remember as we read this is
a real world with real people in everyday life with all its joys and complexities - just like you
and me!
When Sabbath ended, sunset, many in the village turn out to seek more of the healing care
of Jesus in all its ways for wholeness of life.
Perhaps the 'after sunset' reveals an unspoken fear the people held for those in authority
about work on the Sabbath an attitude Jesus will challenge in due course.
Jesus needs time to reflect and so . . . .
4. Communicating with 'base' and then further afield - vv 35-38
4. Communicating with 'base' and then further afield - vv 35-38
[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 travelled throughout Galilee, preaching in
their synagogues and driving out demons.
Jesus isn't a super hero or lone ranger. He is the son of God and works in conjunction with
his Father in the power of the Spirit so, prayer and reflection were vital. Hence, a very early
start, still dark, and off he goes for solitude, refreshment and communication with Father
God.
What happens, his newly called disciples seek him out with a message, 'everyone is looking
for you'.
You're a hit and we can gain ground.
But no, no, no, his time of prayer has left him focused - we have to move on and keep on
doing so. I have to take the good news far and wide not just here and so the mission moved
out from Capernaum all round Galilee.
Two observations:
1. If the eternal son need time for prayer, refreshment in the spirit, to be kept
focused in Kingdom priorities, then so do we!
2. If our desire is to see people, communities and the world changed through
prayer then first and foremost we have to be changed through prayer and
respond accordingly.
God works as he pleases and it pleases him to work
through his children who act in faith. I add, sometimes he works without them
or despite them!
I will not tire of saying it 'your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven'.
That's what Jesus was probably praying that morning and maybe every morning. God gives
good things to those who ask but we are here for his glory, his kingdom and the honour of
his holy name.
5. Cleansing and containing
- vv 40-45
[40] A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you
can make me clean.”
[41] Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he
said. “Be clean!” [42] Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
[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.
It's lovely, to see how this man comes and addresses Jesus in v 40. He is humble and certain
in his request to Jesus. There are no doubts in his mind - if you are willing, you can. Plain and
simple and bristling with faith.
Jesus' response is equally lovely and loving too and, equally brief - I am, be clean - and he is.
Like met with like.
No drama and no fuss but then it all goes pear shaped because this man does the opposite
of what Jesus asked - vv 43-44.
A sign of his delight and joy which is
understandable. From being outcast he was now able to be included in life but Jesus was
keen for it to be official and appropriate in accord with the law. Jesus, we see, upholds the
law but when necessary he challenges how the priests etc. used or misused the law. Subtle
difference.
The final verse demonstrates how his disobedience threw a spanner in the works for Jesus.
Jesus now had to avoid the crowds because the demand for a 'wonder worker' was growing
and we can understand but, we also have to understand that there is a whole agenda, for
Jesus, not just a healing one.
Jesus cared and cares for whole people.
Yes, he heals, yes, he calls for justice and care for
the marginalised but he also has a message of the Kingdom which has to be heard, and, be
heard it will.
Balance is needed and I say similar to what I said last week and that is that we, which
includes the church as a whole, can easily get out of balance with what we do and say.
Perhaps its back to prayer that is Kingdom focused!
Conclusion
If what we have seen over two weeks in Mark 1 is, more or less, plain sailing, Mark 2 brings
change and the start of Jesus being questioned, albeit silently, about who he is and his
authority. The intensity and opposition will grow.
In ministry we have times of plain sailing when all goes well and there is interest and growth
- we need to pray for these.
However, there are also times when we face opposition and
attack from 'unclean spirits' and opposition from within and outside the fellowships we
belong to.
I say it again - prayer and this time add, spiritual warfare, Ephesians 6:1ff.
Remember: who is reigning and has won the undefeatable victory and that therefore, in him
we are more than conquerors.
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