The Healing

Introduction

It is good to see everyone here tonight. I am super pumped for us to be jumping back into the Gospel of Mark tonight. Over the past three weeks, we took a look at the book of Ephesians which helped build upon our understanding of the Gospel. Now, we turn back to the Gospel of Mark to understand the storyline of Jesus’s earthly ministry.

Tonight, we will look at how Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law. Not only that but Jesus also continues and heals many others while also delivering some from demonic oppression.

So if you have your Bibles, turn with me to

Mark 1:29–34 ESV

29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Pray.

Remember, the last time that we were in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus was teaching in the Synagogue and a man possessed by a demon approached Jesus. As the demon-possessed man approached Jesus, Jesus rebuked the demon and the demon left. That revealed to us the power and authority of Jesus over the demons. This week, we see that Jesus and his four disciples have left the Synagogue and gone to Peter and Andrew’s house. Once they come into the house, they find Peter’s mother-in-law sick with a fever.

Jesus has power over disease and sickness. (v. 29-31)

We see that as Jesus finished His teaching and entered into the house of Peter and Andrew, He finds Peter’s mother-in-law that is sick with a fever. It was customary for a person to greet visitors into their home; however, Peter’s mother-in-law was laid up sick because of a fever. As soon as the disciples see Peter’s mother-in-law, what do they do? They go an tell Jesus.

The disciples knew that Jesus is the only one who could heal her. So, the went to Jesus, and Jesus responded. Jesus knew of the mother-in-law’s condition and knew that He could heal her. The mother-in-law was likely suffering from some form of infection because Luke 4:38 tells us that she had a high fever which is an indicator of an infection. Because of this, Jesus went to her.

As she suffers from this high fever, Jesus comes beside her grabs her hand and lifted her up. As soon as Jesus did this, the Bible tells us the fever left her. I also want to draw your attention to Matthew and Luke’s account of this instance.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the Synoptic Gospels. What that means is that you can run them side by side because they contain many of the same accounts or records of Jesus. So, we see the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law in Mark, but we also see this account in Matthew and Luke as well. Let’s take a look at the Luke account of this healing.

Luke 4:38–41 ESV

38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them. 40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

Notice the additional details this account gives us. Jesus stood over her and rebuked the fever. So, from these two accounts, we understand that Jesus stood over Peter’s mother-in-law, grabbed her hand, rebuked the fever, lifted her up, and healed her.

We see a few key things from this healing.

Jesus got word of the mother-in-law’s fever and came to her. This reveals to us Jesus’s love for others. Jesus heard of a suffering person and went to heal her.

Jesus rebuked the fever. This reveals the power of Jesus. Jesus simply spoke and the fever left. Remember, Jesus is the Word and the Word has power. As Jesus spoke, the fever left. Jesus has power over sickness and disease. Jesus is the Word and the Word has power. This reveals to us the power of God’s Word as well.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Jesus simply spoke and the fever left.

Lastly, Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law, and she properly responded. Notice how she responded. She responded by serving Jesus and His disciples. Jesus healed her, and get this, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have been healed as well. Remember from last week, we were dead in our trespasses and sins. We were dead because we dishonored God and sinned against Him. But we are made alive through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins so that we could be healed. Now, because of His love for us and our love for Him we are obedient to Christ. The proper response to Jesus dying to save us is faithfulness to Him. Just as Peter’s mother-in-law served Jesus after He healed her. Jesus has healed us from our sickness which is sin and our response should be service and worship out of love for Jesus.

Jesus has power over disease and sickness.

Jesus continued working exercising power and authority over demons and disease.

Mark 1:32–34 ESV

32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

After Jesus left the Synagogue, He went to Peter and Andrew’s house. Then, after healing Peter’s mother-in-law, Jesus continues at sundown to heal and exercise His power. Remember, that this was on the Sabbath. The Sabbath was a day of rest in which the Jews were not allowed to do any work of any kind. They would not travel a certain distance or pick up a certain amount of weight. However, at sundown the Sabbath ended. So, here we see that since the Sabbath has ended because it is sundown the whole town comes to Jesus for Him to heal them and cast out demons.

Word had spread about Jesus on this day that everyone was waiting to see Him and be healed. And as the people continued to come to Jesus, He continued to heal them one by one. He healed those with diseases and cast out those possessed by demons.

Remember, Jesus had power and authority. He speaks with power and authority. He speaks to fulfill prophesy. In our storyline series, we looked at how Jesus was prophesied about 700 years before He came. Jesus would come as the suffering servant.

Isaiah said of Jesus:

Isaiah 53:4 ESV

4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

Jesus fulfilled the prophesy in Isaiah. Jesus came down from heaven and while on earth, He served tirelessly. He was healing the sick and casting out demons. He was fully human and fully God bearing the burdens of sinful humanity.

Many of you may have had a bad day or something bad happen to you in the past. Get this, Jesus knows exactly what you are going through because He has been there too. He knows your sorrows and grief. He understands your burdens. And He cares about you. He loves you.

Just as each one of these people came to Jesus for healing, we can come to Him as well. There is not pre requirement for coming to Jesus. You can come just how you are.

The Bible simple tells us:

Romans 10:9–13 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

If we simply call out to God for salvation and forgiveness of sin, He is faithful to forgive us and save us from our sins. He knows everything we go through and He loves us enough to die for us and save us from our sin. He identifies with us by becoming human and understanding our sin and shame while never committing sin.

Also, we have assurance knowing that Jesus has all power and authority in heaven and on earth. Because of that, we know that Jesus knows what we are going through, has power over disease and demons, and has done everything necessary to save us.

Next, we see that Jesus would not allow for the demons to speak. This was to veil his identity.

Look with me at

Luke 4:41 ESV

41 And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.

The demons knew exactly who Jesus was. But, Jesus would not allow them to speak because it was not time for Him to be revealed as the Messiah. Why would Jesus not what His Messiahship to be known?

Jesus knew what the results would be if His identity was revealed. The religious leaders would respond with anger and frustrate. They would seek to do away with Him. Even though this would take place eventually Jesus did not want to be revealed also because He only wanted to be know as the Suffering Servant as Isaiah 53 describes. Jesus came to serve not be served. Jesus came to save sinners from eternal death.

He knew the time would come for His death on the cross.

John 7:8 ESV

8 You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.”

Jesus knew the religious leaders were seeking to kill Him if they found Him at this festival so Jesus did not go because the time of His death had not yet come. Jesus knew when His time would come. But until that time, Jesus was serving others through healing, teaching, and casting out demons.

Then when Jesus’s time did come, He went to the cross for me and for you.

Mark 14:41–50 ESV

41 And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” 43 And immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” 45 And when he came, he went up to him at once and said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him. 46 And they laid hands on him and seized him. 47 But one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. 48 And Jesus said to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” 50 And they all left him and fled.

Mark 15:21–16:8 ESV

21 And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 22 And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. 25 And it was the third hour when they crucified him. 26 And the inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.” 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left. 29 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him. 33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.” 36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” 37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. 42 And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45 And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46 And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. 1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Jesus did all that for us. Jesus is the suffering Servant that died for your sins and for mine. We were dead in sin and crying out and Jesus is the only way we can be saved.

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