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| [ DATE : 2009-01-06 ] |
 Jesus Begins His Ministry Mark 1:16~34 |
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| 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 make you fishers of men." |
| 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. |
| 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 evil 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 evil 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 evil spirits and they obey him." |
| 28 | News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. |
| 29 | As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. |
| 30 | Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. |
| 31 | So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. |
| 32 | That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. |
| 33 | The whole town gathered at the door, |
| 34 | and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. |
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Jesus Initiates Relationships (1:16-20)
There are so many instances of God initiating relationships with humans in Scripture that a clear and consistent pattern emerges. In most of Jesus’ parables, the figure who represents God is the one who reaches out to people or offers them peace and forgiveness. In today’s passage, we see Jesus living out this truth in His own life and ministry. Usually, a student approaches a master and asks to be his disciple. If the master finds the student worthy, he accepts him. If not, he sends him away. However, in this case it is the master who seeks out the disciples. While they were still strangers to the Lord, Christ found them and called out to them. In verse 20 we read that Jesus did not hesitate when He called James and John. He did not have to pause and think about His decision because He knew from the beginning whom He would choose as His disciples.
Jesus Saves from Physical and Spiritual Bondage (1:21-34)
Not only does God initiate relationship with man, but He also delivers people from physical and spiritual oppression. In our natural state, we are all slaves and prisoners to something, be it bitterness, pride, sexual immorality, greed, disease, addiction, or physical abuse. Jesus is called our Savior because He saves us from all forms of bondage. He sets us free from the things that imprison us, and those He sets free are truly free. In this passage, we see Jesus doing two things in particular, driving out demons (spiritual bondage) and healing the sick (physical bondage). These two activities are representative of Christ’s ministry. When Jesus opens the physical eyes of the blind, He also opens their spiritual eyes. When Jesus drives out a demon, He also casts out the darkness and brings that person into the light of His truth. Jesus cares about the totality of our being and meets both our spiritual and physical needs.
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Why is it important to understand that God initiates relationship and fellowship with us? If we were able to initiate the process of our own salvation, then salvation would be based on our work and not on God’s.
The ministry that Jesus carried out on earth continues today through the Holy Spirit. Jesus never turned anyone away who needed His help. If you have a spiritual or physical need, turn to Christ in faith and prayer and He will deliver you. |
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Overcome Your Worries
When James Hudson Taylor III, the grandson of the famous missionary, was a young boy, he and his siblings were sent off to boarding school in Malaya while their parents continued their missionary work in a remote area of China. World War II broke out, and young James, his siblings,…were captured by the Japanese forces and placed in an internment camp. For a number of years, parents and children had no contact with each other. Naturally Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were deeply perturbed about their children, but when the family was finally reunited unharmed, Mrs. Taylor recounted how she was convinced that the Lord had conveyed to her a simple but profound message: “You look after the things that matter to Me, and I will look after the ones who matter to you.” And on the strength of this conviction she had been able to carry on. …Perhaps we need to make a more definite connection between kingdom priorities and victory over worry. What is the connection?... It’s all about the King—King Jesus—who reigns triumphant on the throne of heaven, biding His time until the right moment, when He returns to...establish His eternal kingdom... It is King Jesus…who in the person of the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in the hearts and lives of believers in order that He might strengthen them with might in their innermost beings. It is He who takes charge of the lives of His followers and who commits Himself to their well-being.
- Time Bandits: Putting First Things First by Stuart Briscoe |
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| O Father, I praise You because You are my Rock and my Salvation. You are the Redeemer of Israel and the Savior of my soul. I worship You because You forgive all my sins and heal all my diseases. Use me to continue the ministry You began through Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. |
