Step 3

Mark 1:21-39 Words and Works that amaze
About Mark: The geography of Palestine at the time of Jesus featured three distinct regions. Northernmost was Galilee, adjacent to the Sea of Galilee. Capernaum and Nazareth, featured in today's reading, were Galilean towns. Southernmost was Judea with Jerusalem as its capital. The notorious region of Samaria was located between Galilee and Judea, dividing Israel in two. Orthodox Jews viewed Samaria as a foreign state inhabited by half-breeds. Even the northern
region of Galilee was considered "provincial".

All four Gospels show Jesus beginning his ministry in Galilee. The story later moves towards Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified.  

The synagogue was the local center of religious and community life. People were just as amazed by what Jesus did then, as we would be if it happened to us.

After an era of dismissing things spiritual, society seems once more to be recognizing spiritual realities. Occasionally the behaviour of people can only be accounted for by some form of possession by demons of evil and not simply by illness brought on by mental or psychological disorders.  

Mark selects several events to illustrate the healing work of Jesus. And he portrays Jesus' concern for Simon's family. Mark shows Jesus as a considerate guest in Peter's home. Mark's later encounter with Jesus at his mother's house for the Last Supper will again show Jesus as a considerate guest.

Bible: Mark 1:21-39, The Man with an Unclean Spirit

21 They went to Capernaum; and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching--with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." 28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. 

Jesus Heals Many at Simon's House

29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 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.

A Preaching Tour in Galilee

35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37 When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." 38 He answered, "Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." 39 And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Comment: WORDS AND WORKS THAT AMAZE
MARK sums up this section in verse 39, and uses examples from the synagogue of Capernaum to show how both the teachings and actions of Jesus created great amazement. "They were astounded at his teaching" (22), and "they were all amazed" at his treatment of the man with the
unclean spirit (27), and "they kept on asking one another, `What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.'" 

Signs of sovereignty
The disciples were following a king whose authority and sovereignty were patently obvious. Christians follow that same king and share in that same kingdom. People in the synagogue were comparing the simplicity and authority of Jesus - whose teaching was founded on the Old Testament, like the Book of Isaiah - with the scribes who had concealed and contaminated
God's truth with their own overlays. We shouldn't blame the scribes, for we too have our traditions and techniques that can evade the plain truth of God. A habit of regularly encountering the word of God can give us the same impact of amazing, simple authority that they felt in the synagogue that day. Many Christians find that reading a section of the Bible every day puts them
in touch with God who uplifts, inspires, and instructs them.

Confronting evil
Such encounters can produce a confrontation with unclean spirits, as occurred on this occasion. Evil, animistic spirits dominated many people in those days, and ours. Mark tells this story to show that Jesus has the sovereign power to cast spirits out, and to restore wholeness to people who are possessed.

Jesus is considerate
The healing of Peter's mother-in-law shows other dimensions of the kingdom. Jesus enters a disciple's home, is considerate of those who are unwell, brings a gentle restoring touch, and provides strength for the satisfactions of serving him. What did Peter's wife think when Peter arrived with a bunch of friends after she is already burdened by her mother's illness? But the entry of Jesus is a blessing after all, when her mother rises to assist her.

Discipleship today: Putting this in today’s setting, the Christian gospel presents Jesus as the one with sovereign authority. That's what Mark meant by summing up Jesus' message as the kingdom of God being at hand. We must shift gears and believe it. On such a basis Jesus called the disciples to follow him. And they followed.

Now his sovereignty is demonstrated in confrontation with evil spirits and illness. But Jesus had no intention of hanging about to simply do what others wanted. He had a mission, sent to proclaim the kingdom of God. So he rejects Simon's plea on behalf of those flocking to his house. Jesus doesn't simply do what we want. He rather invites us to join him in fulfilling his will. And there's the crunch, and the blessing, for it's always still good news to do God's will.