A Day in the life of Jesus Christ
Pastor Valbracht shares in his book, Exit Interstate 0,
"It was in the early years of my ministry that one Sunday preaching my sermon and I had just gotten well into the sermon, when a baby started to cry down in one of the front pews. The mother, very much embarrassed, snatched up the baby and started out the aisle.
I stopped right in my sermon, and I said, ’Madam you don’t hove to take that baby out. He isn’t bothering me.’
She said, ’No?’ Well, you’re certainly bothering him.’”
We cannot win every battle.
Last week we saw how Jesus was “bothering” the people in his own hometown of Nazareth. The people didn’t like what he was saying.
Today we want to observe Jesus at another town about 20 miles away from Nazareth. We want see what Jesus was doing on a Sabbath in the town of Capernaum. We want to tag on to Jesus and follow Him along for a day.
I walked today where Jesus walked,
In days of long ago;
I wandered down each path He knew,
With rev'rent step and slow.
Those little lanes, they have not changed
A sweet peace fills the air.
I walked today where Jesus walked,
And felt His presence there.
A day in the life of Christ
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Jesus ministered three and half years publicly. The first year of his ministry was in obscurity. Today’s sermon takes us to the beginning of his second year of his earthly journey. Scholars call it the year of popularity. His final year is called the year of rejection.
Preparation Public Ministry Sacrifice
ANNUAL PASSOVERS
John 2:13 John 5:1 John 6:4 John 11:55
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Mark 1: 21-34
Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Jesus Heals Many
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
In this passage, Mark describes for us a day in the life of Christ. This day took place at the beginning of the second year of our Lord’s ministry, the “Year of Popularity.”
Jesus had moved to Capernaum, “rented a house” and used it as His base of operation or “headquarter”.
The results of His ministry were phenomenal. The entire city of Capernaum was transformed by the power of Christ.
How could this happen?
After he was rejected in Nazareth Jesus could have given up and said to himself forget about these religious folks, they don’t want to listen to the good news. Rejection can hurt even damage us severely but it could just indicate to us that a door closed. This person doesn’t like me, this customer does not want my product, we don’t get along so find another door, friendship, customer, method, idea that works.
Don’t just watch Jesus like a movie where the heroes are oversized people and we have nothing to do with them. Hear the voice of God communicating with you through the story, sermon, your time here at church, actually wherever you go.
We live in a world of words. We are overwhelmed, suffocated, and buried in the mounting pile of words. Words tend to loose their meaning, they become unimportant, they no longer have any real value or influence in life.
We just don’t listen anymore.
A New York columnist set out one time not long ago to prove that no one really listened to what anyone said at a cocktail party and, when he was invited to such a party, he always would arrive late. When he arrived the hostess greeted him and he explained why he was late. "I had to stop for a moment and murder my mistress, and it took longer than I thought." Without blinking an eye, the hostess said she understood perfectly, "I was almost late myself, everyone is quite busy. Enjoy yourself. Have a good time."
As he mingled around the party, someone asked him what I he did for a living. "Oh, I am the executioner for the State Penitentiary." The person continued, "Well, that must be an interesting line of work. How is business this year?’”
We are caught up in a sea of words.
Does God want to communicate something to you and me today?
Watch and listen …
What happens when Jesus comes to town?
Mark 1: 21-26
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
1. Satan’s kingdom is shaken up
Jesus taught with authority, unlike the teachers of the law. Unlike the scribes, Jesus declared God’s truth boldly.
Show 2 picture of synagogue and Capernaum (3 clicks)
Imagine what was going on in Capernaum. Jesus comes in and sets up shop. He is speaking and acting as if He I in charge. … with divine authority…
This, no doubt, got the demons in the city of Capernaum upset. After all, they had Capernaum right where they wanted it.
They had Capernaum believe they were enslaved to wine and the local gossip line; (Somewhere was a Anna Nicole Smith). Marriages were not so important who cares about what marriage means, the grass was always greener on the other side of the fence. Children were disrespecting their parents, and why not cheat a little here and there to make some more shekels etc.
Yes, the demons had things under control . . .
Until Jesus came to town.
The demons got wind of it and gathered to address this crisis. So they probably called a demon’s meeting to discuss what they should do.
Perhaps they took an opinion poll or they put a think tank together.
Perhaps their discussion included thoughts like,
Ø “Let’s just run Him off.”
Ø “Yeah, let’s see if we can scare Him and get Him to leave us alone.”
Ø A nice little scandal or some well placed gossip.
But I’m sure one of the older, wiser, and more level headed demons probably replied by saying something like,
Ø “Brothers, this is no ordinary prophet we’re dealing with here. We know who He is! He is the Holy One of God! No, we have no authority over Him and we will not be able to intimidate Him with a little gossip column in the newspaper or simply scare Him. I’m afraid the only thing we can do is to ask Him to leave us alone.”
This evidently made sense to the rest of the demons, so they elected a representative from among them (no doubt one of the demons who was absent from the meeting) and sent him to the synagogue to ask Jesus to leave.
His reply to the demon’s request was powerful and straight to the point, “Shut up! And come out of that man!”
Immediately, the Bible tells us, the demon left the man.
And not only was that demon dealt with, but Mark tells us that before the day was over.
Mark 1:34 “Jesus drove out many demons.”
When Jesus takes over, Satan’s kingdom is shaken up.
What does that have to do with us?
Does Jesus still drive out demons today?
Aren’t we too sophisticated to even talk like this? What are demons to begin with?
Ø Is TV a demon? No, it is a technical advice to show a picture of a place where a camera is placed.
Ø Is wine a demon? No, it is a drink that comes from grapes!
Ø Is money a demon? No, it is a wonderful substitute for the good we want to exchange.
The Bible tells us that demons are fallen angels.
Good angels gone bad!
They may use TV, wine, and money to keep us occupied with dumb stuff but they are not free to do whatever they want to do. God is in charge and Jesus demonstrated for us during his appearance in the synagogue in Capernaum that He is in change.
And He even gave His disciples authority to drive out evil spirits.
Matthew 10:1
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evilunclean spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
So we can drive out evil spirits in the name of Jesus as well.
How do we drive out evil spirits?
Speak the truth and the truth will set you free.
Knowing the Word of God and speaking it with authority drives the evil out of our lives even today.
Ø Remember the temptation of Jesus!
Ø Or we read in …
Galatians 5:16
Life by the Spirit
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
Do God’s will, live by the Spirit, walk in the Spirit; think of what you can do for God and do it.
That drives evil out of our way.
Indeed, when Jesus takes over, Satan’s kingdom is shaken up.
Each one of us carries the disease of sin.
Christ’s demonstrates that He has broken the powerful grip of sin and death. We are free to live as a new people of God. The cosmic battle of sin has been fought and Jesus has won. But this battle continues day in and day out for each of us.
And it is only through the powerful word of Christ that we will be victorious.
It is only through His word and His word alone that victory is ours on this earth.
Let us move on and follow Jesus on this memorable Sabbath in Capernaum at the beginning of his second year of ministry
2. Peter’s mother-in-law is healed
Mark 1:29-31
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
After the service Peter, Andrew, James, John and Jesus walked over to the home of Peter’s mother-in-law. Her home was just a few blocks from the synagogue.
Excavation in Capernaum revealed a home protected by a round wall. The wall indicates that the enclosed building was an important pilgrimage site.
Preserved graffiti on the walls of the home claim that the home belonged to Peter’s mother-in-law.
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Dr. Luke, using medical terms, tells us that she had a “high” fever. (Luke 4:38)
Jesus merely touched her hand and the fever was dispelled. He raised her from her bed and, without any hesitation and she began to wait on her guests.
What an amazing woman!
Her story does not end with her hospitality to Jesus. It was just the beginning or continuation of a life made immediately available to Jesus and His ministry.
Her home became His home.
Whenever Jesus was to Capernaum, He always had a place to stay.
But this day wasn’t over yet.
3. The whole town came to see Jesus
Mark 1:32-34
That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
The “whole city” gathered at her door (Mark 1:33).
Late into the night miracle after miracle took place. Diseases were defeated, demons were denounced and all of these miracles were, in Matthew’s words,
Matthew 8:17
16 When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
“He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”
The home of Peter’s mother-in-law became a safe haven, a hospital, a psychiatric ward.
Time and time again the sick and oppressed were brought to her door.
I have always been fascinated by the story of the paralytic who was lowered through the roof into the room where Jesus was. What kind of homeowner would understand the kind of desperation that would drive someone to break open the roof of a stranger? (Mark 2:1-12)
Was this the house of Peter’s mother-in-law?
It was in Capernaum!
She understood that helping a paralyzed man get into the presence of Jesus was more important to her than keeping her roof intact! She was sick once too and Jesus healed her.
Like her, we need to open our hearts and homes to help people find Jesus.
After the last miracle of the night was performed, the townspeople made their way home. Each of the men found a corner of the house in which to curl up for the night.
Before dawn broke, Jesus slipped out of the house to a lonely place to pray.
(Mark 1:35-37)
Just outside of Capernaum is a small cave that overlooks the Sea of Galilee. Some people think that it was to this place that Jesus retreated, especially in light of the fact that Peter seemed to know where to find Him.
When Jesus takes over, people are set free from the evil one, healed, and they are generously giving away what they have received.
Conclusion:
Today we heard what Jesus did on a Sabbath in Capernaum. The whole town was transformed and many lives were changed forever.
Ø What would it take to experience something like that today?
Response:
Ø If you would believe that Jesus could set you free today to do your best for Him what would happen?
Ø If Jesus would promise you to fill you with same power that He had available to Him when He ministered in Capernaum 2000 years ago.
Ø Would you believe Him and begin ministering today?
Ephesians 1:17-19a
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.