Mark 1:29-34

Mark 1:29–34 KJV (WS)

29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. 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. 32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. 33 And all the city was gathered together at the door. 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.

Introduction

The last thing that happened in Mark was the healing of the demoniac in the synagogue.

Remember what Mark 1:28 said was the result of that.

“28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.”

The sabbath had started so all the people that were at synagogue went to their homes or the homes of their families and had plenty to talk about during the whole day that they were secluded in their homes.

Can you imagine those conversations???

I try not to think about what you all say about the service when you go home.

Well, we are given a glimpse it to what goes on in one of the homes.

Peter hosts Sabbath dinner. vss 29-31

Jesus and his four disciples head directly from the synagogue to Peter’s house.

They had to go directly/immediately because you were only allowed so many steps outside your home during the Sabbath.

I love that Peter invites Jesus to his house.

We could all be more open with the use of our home as point of ministry.

I wonder how much Peter understood about Jesus at this point.

It’s so early in their relationship.

Regardless, there’s a really good preaching point to be made by Peter’s request that Jesus come to his house.

Don’t leave Jesus at church, take him home with you.

Things are not all good at Peter’s house though.

His mother in law is living with them.

I’m sorry that’s not the bad part.

The bad part is that she’s sick and unable to fix the Sabbath meal.

I can’t help but try to imagine how Peter’s wife felt about this.

She is caring for her sick mother.

Peter’s wife is an incredible hidden figure.

According to 1 Corinthians 9:5, it appears that Peter’s wife was right by Peter’s side accompanying him as a missionary.

Right now, though, she has to prepare the Sabbath meal alone.

On top of that, her husband has invited his brother, James and John, and his new rabbi to join them?

If I was her, I’d want to know why James and John weren’t hosting everyone at their house.

They were better off than Simon and Andrew’s family.

Wouldn’t there house be better suited for this!?!

Typical males behavior, though, Peter’s all just like, “oh yeah, my dudes, come on over, we’ll have plenty of food.

Did he even remember his mother-in-law was sick???

I bet his wife’s face when he walked in the door reminded him.

Oh yeah, Imma, is here and she’s sick.

Peter immediately has a thought.

Jesus might be able to help her.

We know that Peter has already see Jesus do some miracles, but in Mark’s record, they have not seen Jesus heal any one.

That doesn’t stop them from telling him anyways.

There is already a confidence beginning to spring in their hearts.

The devout heart instinctively tells Jesus about all its troubles.

Jesus goes in to see the woman that was sick.

This story is evidence of Peter giving an eye witness account.

He includes the detail that Jesus took her by her hands and lifted her up.

Mark will often highlight Jesus’ propensity for taking people by the hand.

By doing this, Jesus healed her.

The fever immediately left her.

We know this is a miracle because of what happens next.

Peter’s mother-in-law immediately gets up and starts helping to prepare and serve the Sabbath meal.

Typically, when a fever leaves you, you still need time to recover.

When you are miraculously healed, why can’t Jesus not only rid your body of fever but also the lingering effect of that fever?

That’s exactly what he did, and Peter’s m-i-l responded with gracious service.

Mark often uses different women as the model for discipleship.

All of us can follow in her footsteps though, if you’ve been delivered, that is.

His deliverance inflames grateful love which delights in serving him who needs no service.

As dinner is winding down, and the sun begins to set, everyone knows the Sabbath is almost over.

What a sabbath it has been too.

It’s supposed to be a day of rest, but Jesus has been hard at work all day.

In the synagogue, in the home of Peter.

It’s been a good, full day.

As the sun set on Saturday and Sunday evening began, Peter and the others heard a noise outside the house. vss 32-34

Remember, we mentioned that everyone in synagogue had gone home with tales of a miracle.

Well, apparently, most people in Capernaum know someone in need of a miracle.

As soon as the Sabbath was over, they converge on Peter’s house.

Whoever got there first must have knocked on Peter’s door, or maybe they called out to him.

Peter goes and opens the door.

He is shocked by the crowd standing around his house.

People he knew, people he didn’t know.

All of them in need of a miracle.

I imagine Peter stumbling over what to say, when Jesus walks up behind him and puts his hand on his shoulder.

Jesus tells Peter that he’s got this.

Andrew brings Jesus a chair and sets it in the doorway as one by one the sick and the possessed are brought to him.

The healings began around 6pm and continued into the night.

They brought and kept bringing the sick to him.

Even if you weren’t in the original crowd, if you heard what was happening wouldn’t you bring your loved one?

Jesus healed them all.

Isn’t it pretty remarkable that there were so many demon-possessed people in a single city.

Remember what we said before.

Capernaum was the place where Jesus performed the most miracles.

And yet, they did not respond with belief.

Capernaum was obviously a spiritually dark place.

This makes the fact that Jesus healed so many even more incredible.

He knew their shallowness, but he was not deaf to their misery.

He healed them and set them free despite the fact they didn’t receive him as their Messiah.

Imagine the patience and grace required of Jesus to minister in this way late into the night.

That is what’s incredible to me.

In a single day, he ministered in the synagogue, in a home, and to in a city.

We have to remember he had a human body.

He HAD to be tired.

But he kept on serving.

Remember, Mark reveals Jesus through his actions.

In this passage we see Jesus ministering and loving on even those who wouldn’t believe on him.

He is so incredible and kind.

What a great Savior we have.

Application

If Jesus loved and ministered to those who he knew didn’t believe him, how much more is he willing to work on our needs.

You are precious to him.

You have been purchased by his death.

He loves and cares for you.

He shares his goodness with unbelievers.

How much more is he going to share his goodness with you.