Jesus’ Priority in Ministry
TRANSLATION
(29) And as soon as he left the synagogue, Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew along with James and John. (30) Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay in bed with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. (31) And he came, took her by the hand, and lifted her up. And the fever left her, and she began to serve them. (32) And in the evening when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were oppressed by demons. (33) The whole town had gathered at the door. (34) And he healed many that were sick with various illnesses and cast out many demons, and he did not allow the demons to speak because they knew who he was.
(35) And rising very early in the morning, Jesus got up while it was still dark and left for a solitary place and prayed there. (36) And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, (37) and, finding him, they told him, “Everyone is looking for you.” (38) And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns so I can preach there also, for that is why I have come.” (39) And he went into the synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.
(40) And a leper approached him, pleading with him on his knees and saying to him, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” (41) And moved with compassion, Jesus extended his hand and touched him, saying to him, “I am willing. Be clean.” (42) And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. (43) And sternly admonishing him, he sent him away at once (44) saying to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing that which Moses commanded as a proof to them.” (45) But, as soon as he left, he began to talk freely, spreading abroad the news of his healing so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town but had to remain in desolate areas. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
OBSERVATIONS
This segment opened and closed with two miraculous healings. In the first, Jesus cured Simon’s mother-in-law of a fever, and in the second he touched and cleansed a leper of his terrible disease. In between, Mark provided a status report regarding Jesus’ ministry. In verse 38, the Lord told his disciples that the chief reason why he had come was to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom.
However, curing the afflicted of disease and delivering the oppressed from demons were the ministries that drew the most attention. Those who were flocking to him for his healing touch were hindering his ability to carry out his ministry of proclamation and were forcing him to move on to areas where he was not yet known. Repeated words included “immediately” (three times in vss. 29, 30, & 42), “Simon” (three times in vss. 29, 30, & 36), “sick” (occurring twice in vss. 32 & 34), “demons” (found four times in vs. 32, twice in vs. 34, and once in vs. 39), “preach/preaching” (twice in vss. 38 & 39).
OUTLINE
I. Jesus healed Simon’s mother-in-law of a fever. (29-31)
II. Jesus attempted to escape the crowds that were overwhelming his ministry. (32-38)
III. Jesus healed the leper who then disobeyed his command to remain silent. (39-45)
IDEA STATEMENT
Jesus’ primary ministry was proclaiming God’s message rather than performing miracles of healing and deliverance.
APPLICATION
In this segment Jesus again gave his disciples the chief reason for his coming, namely, to proclaim the good news of the Gospel throughout the region. However, when the multitudes realized that he could perform unprecedented miracles of healing and deliverance from demons, they flocked to him not so much to hear what he had to say but to receive what he had to give. It is understandable that the afflicted would come to Jesus hoping that he would meet their desperate needs. However, if we are focused only on the physical and emotional relief that Jesus can provide rather than opening our hearts to the message he wants us to receive for our spiritual benefit, we can end up in worse shape than we were before coming to him.
Jesus called all his followers to pursue a life of discipleship which always involves sacrifice and struggle. Later in Mark 8:34 & 35 he would spell out the cost: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the Gospel will save it.” Discipleship should be motivated not only by the blessings we receive from Jesus but also because we love the one who first loved us and want to become like him and share him with others whatever that might cost us personally.