Jesus heals many – Mark 1:29-45

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Jesus healing a leper - by William HoleWhen Jesus began his healing ministry the people flocked to him seeking relief from various diseases and infirmities. So many came that he had to keep moving on to new and remote areas so he could share his teachings with more people.

Jesus had compassion on the people and willingly healed all who came to him. The people were eager to come for personal healing, but Jesus’ overwhelming popularity would later change when they heard his teachings. The people were out to get what they could get so they would be more comfortable.

Do you want all Jesus has to offer you, or only what will make you comfortable today?

Mark 1:29-45

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Heals Many People

29 After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. 31 So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.

32 That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33 The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34 So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.

Jesus Preaches in Galilee

35 Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. 36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

38 But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” 39 So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.

Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.

41 Moved with compassion,[a] Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” 42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. 43 Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: 44 “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy.[b] This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

45 But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.

Come follow me – Mark 1:16-20

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Jesus called out to Andrew and Peter from the shore and asked them to come and follow him. There was no hesitation mentioned, they simply put down their nets and followed Jesus. In the same way James and John were called and they too left their nets, only these two also left their father in the boat with his hired helpers.

Mark 1:16-20

The Calling of Saint Peter and Saint AndrewThe First Disciples

16 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon[a] and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 17 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 18 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

19 A little farther up the shore Jesus saw Zebedee’s sons, James and John, in a boat repairing their nets. 20 He called them at once, and they also followed him, leaving their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired men.

The first disciples didn’t follow Jesus as a total stranger as it might first appear. It helps to also consider the passage in John 1:35-36. They first heard of Jesus from John the Baptist who told them he was the Messiah.

None-the-less, these men showed great faith from the beginning as they left everything behind to follow Jesus. What have we left behind to follow Jesus? Is there something in your life that is holding you back from following him? Just as the first commandment is ““You must not have any other god but me,” (Deuteronomy 5:7 NLT) we must not allow anything to hold us back from following Jesus.

Father God, help us to follow you wholeheartedly without trying to hold on to our old ways of doing things. Help us to always put you first.

John the Baptist baptizes Jesus – Mark 1:1-13

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4206155_sGod sent John the Baptist to the people ahead of Jesus to prepare their hearts to accept Jesus and his teachings. John taught people to repent of their sins. He baptized the people when they repented.

When Jesus came to John to be baptized, the Spirit of God came down upon Jesus, and God spoke saying that Jesus was his Son and that he was well pleased with him.

Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of his ministry. Read about it and/or listen to the account from Mark 1:1-13 below:

Mark 1:1-13

1 This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.[a] It began 2 just as the prophet Isaiah had written:

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
and he will prepare your way.[b]
3 He is a voice shouting in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming!
Clear the road for him!’[c]”

4 This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. 5 All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.6 His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.

7 John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals.8 I baptize you with[d] water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”

9 One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10 As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him[e] like a dove. 11 And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”

12 The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, 13 where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him.
Image credit: lenm / 123RF Stock Photo

I have come as a light to shine in this dark world – John 12:46

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAJesus is our light. This sounds so abstract and unreal to the world. Yet, where would this world be without light? There would be no life as light is the first essential ingredient in our food chain. Plants generate food from light, water, and nutrients. Without plants there could be no animals.

But this is about more than physical light. We don’t worship the sun, we worship the Son of God who side by side with God created the heavens and the earth. We worship the one who created us and who knows us inside and out, and even though our lives were contaminated by sins, he died in our place to give us a second chance to be in communion with God.

If you read or listen to the passage below, you will see that Jesus came to show love to us, to welcome us into his Kingdom. He loves us, even when we turn our backs because he is still trying to give us another chance. But on that final judgement day (verse 48) a back still turned against Jesus will be eternally condemned.

Reach out to Jesus and all he has to offer you while his offer is still open to you. He wants to give you glorious life if you will let him. He knows you through and through and he knows what you need.

John 12:44-50

44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. 45 For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. 47 I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. 48 But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. 49 I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”

–John 12:44-50 (NLT)

Walk in the Light   (Thomas Whitfield) YouTube Video

Jesus Prays for Christian Unity – John 17:21

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last-supper-mdJesus prayer continues: “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” John 17:21 (NLT)

At first blush one might think this part of Jesus’ prayer has gone unanswered. There are so many examples of poor relations between Christians, and they have gone on for years.

Jesus’ example is in his own relationship with his Heavenly Father. He wants that same relationship with us. Let us resolve to be one in spirit with Christ every day.

Before we lose faith over all the failures we see between Christians, one to another, we need to remember that the Bible tells us “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” Phil 2:10 (NLT). Jesus prayer will be answered fully in his time.

Father God, help me to daily find room in my heart for you to live and grow. Grant me a deep seated hunger to want to know you more and more each day. May the peace that comes from knowing you help me to live in unity with all who seek to follow you.

20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

–John 17:20-26 (NLT)