The Shepherd Heals

Opening Prayer (Adoration and Thanksgiving)

Read Mark 1:31-34

Mark 1:32–34 LSB

32 Now when evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34 And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

Demons cannot possess the saved. We are told that greater is He that is in us (the Holy Spirit) than he that is in the world (Satan) (1 John 4:4). Therefore, a child of God cannot be demon-possessed.

J. Vernon McGee

Main Point: God’s Grace is Physically and Spiritually Sufficient.

We must recall that Mark’s purpose is to present Jesus Christ as the Servant of YHWH.

Jesus is laying out a pattern that showcases the divine presence of God.

The very presence of Jesus causes disruption to the working order of a fallen world.

I. The Law Restricts, Grace Flows. (v. 32)

The Lord may not give gold, but he will give grace; he may not give gain, but he will give grace.

Charles Spurgeon

The text gives us a look into the practice of the Sabbath, which was a day for rest, but ended up as a day that restrained people.

At the beginning of the new day the families who had sick and demon-possessed loved ones flood Peter’s doorstep.

We do not hear about the reaction inside the house, but we do see that there is a sense of urgency in the people when faced with God’s authority.

II. Jesus Christ Meets People at their Need. (v. 33)

The shepherd was personally responsible for the sheep. If a sheep was lost the shepherd must at least bring home the fleece to show how it had died. These shepherds were experts at tracking and could follow the straying sheep’s footprints for miles across the hills.

William Barclay (New Testament Scholar)

The text shows the people congregating at the door, outside of Peter’s house. Here we see the urgency of Jesus’ ministry and the desperate need of the people.

Peter uses hyperbole to make the point of the large volume of people seeking the teacher who taught with authority, and who exorcised a demon in the local synagogue.

The affliction of a people who are lost is spoken of in Numbers, 1 Kings, and 2 Chronicles. Hear the words of Zechariah 10:2.

Zechariah 10:2 LSB

2 For the teraphim speak wickedness, And the diviners behold false visions And speak worthless dreams; They comfort in vain. Therefore the people journey like sheep; They are afflicted because there is no shepherd.

Jesus hints at the fulfillment of the Good Shepherd now being among His sheep.

III. Healing Points to Authority Unlike Any Other. (v. 34)

The first item that Peter recalls is the healing of the physical ailments the people faced. Here the works of Jesus continues to fulfill the works that mark the arrival of the Messiah (Zechariah 11:16).

The second item listed is Spiritual health (Gk is Psyche) which is afflicted by the unclean spirits in the world, and torment by the affliction of sin. (Psalm 106:37) This comes from the sin of idolatry and syncretism, as well as forsaking God.

Finally, we continue to see Jesus muzzling the unclean spirits, keeping them from revealing who he is and what his purpose is in the world. Hear the words from Psalm 111:6.

Psalm 111:6 LSB

6 He has declared to His people the power of His works, In giving them an inheritance of the nations.

What then is our response to God’s Word?

IV. Encountering the Living God.

Face to Face with Jesus Christ We Find Complete Peace.

The Jesus of the Scriptures Melts Our Needs Away.

In the Living God We Have the Good Shepherd.