Good morning everyone.
This morning we will study together with the Book of Mark.
We began our study together months ago, and we established our learning of the Bible that the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John have different key themes.
The gospel, as recorded by Mark, shows us clearly the humbleness of the Lord Jesus Christ as a servant.
After all, the key theme of this book is summarized by [Mark 10:45].
Let us read it together.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Today, we will start from verse 29.
Mark 1:29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Last class, we learned that the Lord Jesus Christ called Simon, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him. We learned the important concept of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.
You must be willing to obey the Lord’s command.
The attitude of the servant is to respond immediately to the master’s instruction.
The servant must act promptly with no delay.
Last time we met, we learned that the Lord Jesus Christ went into the synagogue.
There He picked up and read the scripture of the prophet Isaiah. The cross-reference is from [Isaiah 61:1-2].
He was telling the people there that He is the Messiah that the prophet Isaiah mentioned in the scripture.
Starting with verse 29, the Lord Jesus Christ then visited the house of Simon and Andrew.
We will learn about their background from the next verse.
Mark 1:30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
It is evident from the scripture that Simon has married.
The scripture says
…Simon’s wife’s mother.
Here we have Simon’s mother in law who was sick.
Anon is an old English word.
It means “shortly” or “immediately.”
Next, we will read verse 31.
Mark 1:31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
The Lord Jesus Christ knew that Simon’s mother in law was sick.
He came to visit her.
Mark recorded this scene in detail.
The Lord Jesus Christ took Simon’s mother in law by the hand and lifted her up.
You will notice that the word “immediately” appears again here.
A fever immediately departed from Simon’s mother in law.
She was healed instantaneously.
After that, she served the Lord Jesus Christ.
We can preach the message on the salvation of how God has saved us from this verse.
We were once lost with the sickness of sin. Then one day, somebody told us about the Lord Jesus Christ that He died to pay for our sin, was buried, and then rose again the third day.
We believed Him and asked Him to save us.
Immediately, we got saved!
This also shows us the love of God.
It was God who came and looked for Adam after he sinned.
It was the Lord Jesus Christ, with His first coming, to come and die as a substitutionary payment for the sin of the world.
It has always been God who makes the first move to save us.
Next, let us continue with verses 32-34.
Mark 1:32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
Mark 1:33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
Mark 1:34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
By reading these verses, you can see already that the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ did not end when the sun went down.
In the daytime, the Lord went to teach people, to heal the sick, and to cast out devils.
From verse 32, the Lord has more works to do!
Sick people came for Him.
People possessed by devils came for Him.
Verse 33 says
… all the city was gathered together at the door.
The Lord Jesus Christ did not work according to the business hours.
This should give you a clear picture of those who would like to serve the Lord in the ministry.
You need to be prepared to serve people beyond a convenient time.
This requires the attitude of the servant.
The Lord Jesus Christ showed us His example in this passage.
From verse 34, we can see that even the devils knew who the Lord Jesus Christ was.
They knew that He was God manifest in the flesh!
The Lord Jesus Christ commanded them not to further speak of His real identity, for it was not yet the right time.
Up until this part of the scripture, we have learned several applications concerning the ministry for the Lord.
If you would like to engage in the ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ, you have to be prepared to work beyond the convenience.
Those engaging in the ministry needs a servant attitude to help and lift up others.
Next class, we will study together on the healing ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ to a leper.
May God help us at IIBC to be ready to serve others with the right heart and be helpers to those in need.
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