LESSON 26 – THE GOSPEL OF MARK 1:16-39
THE GOSPEL OF MARK 1:16-39
Before dwelling into this chapter, I want to remind you that the four main Gospels, The Gospel of Matthew, The Gospel of Mark, The Gospel of Luke, and The Gospel of John are distinctive. If you recall, The Gospel of Matthew portrays Jesus as “The King.” Therefore, you have his genealogy as you would have in any King. Mark portrays Jesus as “The Servant.” The Gospel of Luke shows Jesus as “Man,” and the Gospel of Johns shows Jesus as the “Son of God.”
One theme that is apparent is that Mark is struck by the authority of Jesus. If you recall, it is possible that Mark was the rich young ruler that asked Jesus the secret of eternal life, and Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mark did that, gave away all he had, and followed Jesus. Mark was confused as he could not at first understand how authority could come from being a “servant.” You will see however that all through the Scriptures, God gives the power to rule to the one who voluntarily serves.
The call of the First Disciples: As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting nets into the sea; they were fisherman. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little further and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So, they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him. (Mark 1:16-20 NAB).
These men were also disciples of John the Baptist, and Jesus had met them earlier in Judea, so they had met previously. Jesus saw that they worked hard and their lives lacked meaning, and this was a turning point in their lives from struggling to survive to serving the Lord. They were quite simple men, and Jesus had to teach them how to walk in a way that relied upon the power of the Spirit of God. Jesus assumes the responsibility of accomplishing this, as he does also when he calls us to do any task. What’s awesome is that Jesus not only teaches us what we need to learn, but he does it in a way that allows us to retain our personality. The disciples trusted Jesus and following him was a decision of faith.
Jesus exhibited his authority to teach God’s word, and he and his disciples went to Capernaum. Then they came to Capernaum, and on the Sabbath, he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as scribes. Mark was amazed by Jesus’s insight into humanity and life and the vast scope of comprehension and knowledge.
The Teachers of the law taught mostly rules and regulations from the Torah, the traditions of the elders, and their teaching burdened people, whereas Jesus’s words rang of truth that was acknowledged by all who heard him speak. There was an inner conviction in each person who heard him, so that they knew that he knew the secrets of life. Jesus taught the word of God persistently, and he considered it most important and urgent. He knew that people suffered due to a lack of God’s words, not from a lack of material things, and as a result, they don’t know why they exist, or the meaning of their pain and suffering. They don’t understand that God’s words give them hope and free them from their fear, anxiety etc.
When Jesus taught in the synagogue, a man was possessed by an impure spirit, and he cried out:
In the synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; 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!” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.” His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee. (Mark 1:23-28 NAB)
Mark makes this perfectly clear. The unclean spirit cannot stand against the teaching and command of Jesus. The unclean spirit was tortured with truth, and he must leave, as he was overwhelmed by a superior power. The only name that the demons have feared throughout the centuries is the name of Jesus. Within hours the word had gone out and spread like wildfire that there was one who could command the spirits of darkness, and they would obey.
Next, we have a description of an event that took place in the house of Simon and Andrew:
On leaving the synagogue he 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. (Mark 1:29-31 NAB)
Mark emphasizes the compassion of Jesus, as it was his idea to heal her. When he heard about the sickness, he took the initiative, laid his hand upon her, and the fever left her. She was so thankful for Jesus’ love and healing, and she served a delicious lunch with joy. Here Mark shows us that Jesus is a compassionate Christ who ministers with power and authority.
Jesus had worked hard all day long, and as the sun set, people began to appear before Jesus.
In Verses 32-34:
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. (Mark 1:32-34 NAB)
Why did Jesus not permit them to speak? I’m sure you have noticed on several occasions Jesus would say to those he healed. “Go and tell no man.” Just accept your healing. Yet, many disobeyed him, and as a result, he could no longer come and minister in the city because of the crowds that followed him. It was Jesus’ desire to play down his deliverance from demons and physical healing. He wanted to be alone and pray. Through prayer, Jesus listened to God’s voice to hear what God wanted him to do. Then Jesus leaves Capernaum. in Verses 35-39:
Rising very early before dawn, he 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 is the purpose for why I have come.” So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving our demons throughout the whole of Galilee. (Mark 1:35-39 NAB)
So, why did Jesus go off to a deserted place to pray? He would pray that God would lead him, open doors, and prepare hearts in the cities to which he would go next. One thing that Jesus wants us to clearly understand is that the authority he had was not coming from him. The authority by which he acted comes from the Father. He mentions this countless times in the Scripture. Jesus goes to great lengths, makes a great effort, and does his utmost to explain to us that “The Son by himself can do nothing,” (John 5:19) He says, “It is not I; the Father who dwells in me, he does the works,” (John 14:10)
This tells us that we should respond to the demands of life in the same way. The secret is that all the demands to cope with the pressures of life comes not from us, but from God. This power is given to those who follow the scriptures and obey. This is what so impressed Mark, the authority of the servant is the one who rules. The great message is that we are to live the same way that Jesus lived, by the same power and force that it is Jesus, working in us, who does the work. Through the cross, Jesus is in us, and we are in him.
Until next time, may peace, love, and joy be with you always.