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Lesson 2: A Day in the Life of Jesus, Mark 1:14-39
Lesson 2: A Day in the Life of Jesus, Mark 1:14-39
by Brad Anderson
In the last lesson we saw how Mark introduces John the Baptist,
the forerunner, and Jesus the Messiah. Today’s lesson will
focus on Jesus’ initial message, the calling of the disciples,
and Jesus’ exorcising and healing ministry in and around Capernaum.
Remember Mark’s purpose in his book: to show that Jesus is
the Christ by means of his mighty teaching and great power. In this
section of the book, we see a good example of such teaching and
miraculous power.
Jesus’ Message (1:14-15)
Mark begins his account of Jesus’ public ministry in Galilee,
while John shows us that Jesus ministered in Judea for about a year
prior to this (John 1:19f). John had been imprisoned. Why? C.f.
Mark 6:17f. Because he had criticized Herod for marrying his brother’s
wife. Herod (Antipas) imprisoned John and eventually had him beheaded.
Notice that Jesus’ message is much like Johns: repent and
believe. John proclaimed that One was coming; Jesus claimed to be
that One.
Conversion: repentance and faith
Repentance and faith is the means of salvation. This has been
the accepted “formula” for salvation since the beginnings
of Christianity. During the middle ages when the Roman Catholic
Church controlled most religious thought, faith plus works replaced
it to a large degree. But with the coming of the reformation,
the emphasis on salvation by faith was again reestablished.
Today, there is a continuing denial of repentance as a part
of a gospel presentation. Advocates of no-repentance conversion
either redefine the concept or deny it altogether. But Jesus’
words here seem to settle the issue. Salvation occurs when one
repents of sin and believes the Gospel. Repentance and saving
faith are two sides of the same coin—they always go together.
What is the significance of Jesus’ words, “The time
has come.” Jesus’ mention of the “time”
or “season” being at hand signifies that all things
were moving according to God’s sovereign timetable. These
are not random events; they were planned from before creation. The
time of preparation had come and gone. The OT expectation is now
fulfilled.
Jesus proclaimed, literally, that “Near has come the kingdom
of God.” The emphasis is on the nearness of the kingdom and
on the fact that Jesus’ hearers could enter it by repentance
and faith. Jesus is urging His hearers, and Mark is urging his readers,
to acknowledge this King and His kingdom, His right to rule over
them. Unfortunately, the Jews officially rejected both the King
and the kingdom He offered them.
The Kingdom of God
The concept of the kingdom of God (or of heaven) is a major
one in the Scriptures. It’s a key component in much of
the preaching of Christ. There is some disagreement as to its
meaning and significance. Most agree that the universal kingdom
of God describes God is a King Who exercises sovereign control
over the universe. Beyond that, non-dispensationalists hold
that the kingdom is synonymous with the Church, i.e., Christianity
in general or all saved people. All the OT promises regarding
a coming kingdom are symbolically fulfilled in the Church, and
there is no literal future kingdom. Dispensationalists hold
that the kingdom is primarily future. That is, kingdom language
generally refers to the millennial reign of Christ on earth.
The Jews of Jesus’ day undoubtedly understood kingdom
language to refer to the Messianic reign. The kingdom was near
in that the King was present. Some dispensationalists acknowledge
a
Jesus Calls His Disciples (1:16-20)
Jesus found Simon and his brother Andrew along the shore of the
Sea of Galilee. This was not the first time Jesus ever saw these
men. They were disciples of John the Baptist, and Jesus had met
them earlier in Judea, and they had even followed him for a time
as his disciples (c.f. John 1:35). So this is not their first encounter,
but it is the story of their official call to a continual discipleship.
The Sea of Galilee is an inland lake 682 feet below sea level, fourteen
miles long and six miles wide (Luke calls it the Lake of Gennesaret
[5:1]; another designation was Sea of Tiberias). Much of Jesus'
ministry took place near this lake, especially in and near the town
of Capernaum. In NT times there were numerous towns along its shores,
especially the northern and western ones. Since its waters abounded
with fish, the local fishing industry flourished. Simon and Andrew
were casting a net into the sea when Jesus called them.
Jesus intends to train them for a far greater work than fishing
for fish; they will be “fishers of men.” That is, Jesus
plans to use them to reach others with the gospel. The command “come”
is an imperative, a command. They had followed Jesus briefly before;
now Jesus was inviting them to follow him full time. Simon and Andrew
obeyed the call “immediately.”
The same call is extended to James and John, sons of Zebedee, who
were working just down the shore line (v. 19). They too respond
without any hesitation (v. 20). In their case something of the price
of discipleship is indicated by the breaking of family ties--the
leaving of their father's business. The mention of the hired men
may imply that Zebedee was a man of wealth. However, the main emphasis
in this call, as in that of Simon and Andrew, is on the immediate
response to it.
These men were simple Galilean fishermen, rough, somewhat ignorant,
untutored, unlearned, elementary men, governed by Jewish passions
and prejudices, and narrow in their outlook. It was only after much
time spent with Jesus that this group became fishers of men.
Jesus Begins Galilean Ministry (1:21-22)
Verses 21 through 39 encompass about one day in the life of Jesus.
As we read through the events of that day, we get a picture of how
intense and demanding his life was.
What’s A Synagogue?
The word “synagogue” comes from the words meaning
“with” and “to lead,” hence a bringing
together or assembly. The synagogue originated in the Exile
as the result of Jews meeting together for prayer and the study
of the Torah. In NT times synagogues were found all over the
Roman Empire wherever there were sufficient numbers of Jews
to maintain one. The synagogue became Judaism's most enduring
institution.
Capernaum was the home of Peter and became a kind of base of operations
for Jesus' Galilean ministry. Jesus, like Paul (cf. Acts 13:15),
used the "freedom of the synagogue" —a Jewish custom
that permitted recognized visiting teachers to preach (based on
the reading from the Law or Prophets) in the synagogue by invitation
of its leaders—to bring the Good News to his countrymen. The
place currently called Tell Hum, located on the northwest corner
of the Sea of Galilee, almost certainly marks the site of Capernaum.
Jesus was a teacher, a rabbi. He taught with authority. What was
the response of the people to the teaching of Jesus (v. 22)? And
they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one
that had authority, and not as the scribes. Jesus did not have to
quote the authorities ("Rabbi so-and-so says such-and-such").
His authority came straight from God. Jesus’ words had a clear
ring of truth, acknowledged by all who heard him speak. It was self-authenticating
truth, corresponding to an inner conviction in each person who heard
him, so that they knew that he knew what he was talking about.
Who were the scribes? The scribes were the scholars of the day,
professionally trained in the interpretation and application of
the law. Jesus often came into direct conflict with them.
Jesus Casts Out a Demon (1:23-28)
Jesus came into conflict with Satan early in his ministry. This
is significant, for Jesus came to destroy the power of the Devil
(1 John 3:8). Although modern man generally does not believe stories
of demon possession, the Bible clearly and repeatedly teaches the
existence of Satan and his demons. In this case, the demons seem
to recognize Jesus. This is evident not only because they call him
"Jesus of Nazareth" but because they recognize his mission.
The question "Have you come to destroy us?" could just
as well be a statement of fact: "You have come to destroy us."
The demons recognize—far more clearly than the synagogue congregation—the
role of judgment in the ministry of Jesus.
What About Demons?
The Scriptures clearly distinguish between all ordinary forms
of disease and the peculiar affliction of demonic possession
(Lenski). This case was not just a psychological or mental problem.
Mark often calls demons “unclean spirits,” which
carries the idea of immorality, wickedness and opposition to
anything good. Jesus often encountered demon opposition, and
he always showed his total authority over them.
While demon possession is still occurring, we should not expect
to experience the same level of demonic activity today as was
the case when Jesus was on the earth. Satan made a special effort
to defeat Jesus, which accounts for the high level of demonic
activity at that time.
It’s currently popular in some circles to blame a demon
for just about every problem and/or sin. For example, there
are demons of alcohol, bitterness, envy, lust, etc. Some preachers
make casting out such “demons” a significant part
of their ministries. But it’s both unbiblical and unwise
to blame demons for one’s own ungodly behavior and attitudes.
The word of Jesus is victorious right from the start. The spirit
is reluctant to go, as is obvious from the way he convulses this
person and cries out with a loud voice. But he must leave —
that is the point. He is overwhelmed by a superior power. Jesus
shows his omnipotent control over Satan’s own domain. This
is the first miracle Mark records in his gospel account.
How did the people respond to these events (.27)? Their amazement,
which also reveals some alarm, prompted them to ask one another,
"What is this?" The answer stresses both the newness of
Jesus' teaching and its authority. They had had no previous experience
with this kind of teaching. Jesus' authority was inherent within
himself and therefore did not have to appeal to spells or incantations
to exorcise the demon. One command accomplished it.
What was the result of Jesus’ teaching and miracles (.28)?
The inevitable result was that Jesus' fame was spread "over
the whole region of Galilee" (v. 28), which, in view of Luke's
"throughout the surrounding area" (Luke 4:37), means "all
that part of Galilee that surrounds Capernaum."
Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-law (1:29-31)
We find out in verse 30 that Peter was married (he had a mother-in-law).
The cure of Peter’s wife’s mother was instantaneous
and complete, for she got out of bed and began to serve the needs
of her guests, which probably means she prepared food for them.Jesus
Heals Many People (1:32-34)
The day was drawing to a close, but Jesus wasn’t done yet.
"That evening after sunset" (v. 32) would be, according
to Jewish reckoning the following day, since the Sabbath ends at
sundown. The Sabbath having ended people could now bring, without
breaking the law, their sick and demon-possessed to him. Apparently
Mark wants to emphasize that the exorcism of v. 26 and the healing
of v. 31 were not isolated cases. Jesus' healing power was extended
to large numbers: "All the sick and demon-possessed" were
brought, and "Jesus healed many" and "drove out many
demons." Mark does not describe the healings and exorcisms
individually but shows by the use of "all" and "many"
the mighty power of Jesus.
Again Jesus muzzles the demons, "because they knew who he was"
(v. 34). Luke is more specific: "because they knew he was the
Christ" (Luke 4:41). Why do you think Jesus didn’t want
the demons to tell everyone who he was? 1. He didn’t want
that kind of advertisement. He wanted to prove who he was on his
own terms in his own way. He frequently de-emphasized the spectacular,
to keep it under control, to play down deliverance from demons,
and physical healing. On a number of occasions Jesus said to those
he healed, "Go and tell no man." That is "Don't tell
anyone about this. Just accept your healing. But don't spread the
word around." 2. Crowd control.
Compare Jesus’ methods here with current trends in evangelicalism.
Many ministries go about advertising their healing campaigns, and
try to bring out the crowds on that basis, emphasizing the spectacular
in what they do. In the Bible there is no record of people giving
public testimonials in order to increase the crowds, or of being
"zapped by the power of God," or any of the theatrics
you see so much of today. These are totally unbiblical.
Jesus Starts the Day with Prayer (1:35-39)
What did Jesus do early the next morning? Jesus got up, went out
on the mountainside and there, alone by himself, he prayed. But
even there he was not safe. His disciples interrupted this communion,
told him that everyone was looking for him. And Jesus reveals the
heart and substance of his prayer in what he says in reply: "Let
us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that
is why I came out." This is what he was praying about –
future ministry and prepared hearts in the cities to which he would
go next.
You wouldn’t think that Jesus would need to pray, being God
the Son. Why did he? To demonstrate that his authority was from
God the Father. {cf, John 5:19}"The Son by himself can do nothing,"
{John 14:10} "It is not I; the Father who dwells in me, he
does the works," So Jesus received his authority and power
from God. We are to operate on the same basis. Response to the normal,
ordinary demands of life, and power to cope with it, must come from
our reliance upon him at work within us. As we learn this, then
we are given power to meet the demands and the needs which are waiting
for us in the ministry yet to come.
Verse 39 finishes off the first picture Mark gives us of Jesus and
his ministry in Galilee, starting in Capernaum and extending to
other local cities and the countryside.
Discussion:
1. Mark leaves out a lot of material that other gospel writers include.
Why? Mark has a specific audience and purpose in mind. He includes
those things in his book that advance his purpose.
2. Why do you suppose that Jesus did so much of his public ministry
around Galilee rather than in Jerusalem? 1. Part of his overall
plan; 2. Things in the rural districts are more easily controllable—he
didn’t want things to get out of hand too soon.
3. Should believers attempt to exorcise demons? The Bible never
instructs us to do so. We are to flee from the devil and resist
the devil. The only way to exorcise a demon is to have the demon-possessed
person get saved.
