Hello, I’m Daniel Westfall on the channel “Pray With Me”.
Last time, we looked at Mark’s gospel, where he wrote good news about Jesus the Messiah, son of God (Mark 1:1).
After reporting Jesus’ baptism and temptation, Mark moves on to how Jesus launched his mission. Goes like this . . .
Walking by Lake Galilee, Jesus says to a couple of fishermen, “Dudes! Time for a job change. Follow me. I’ll teach you to fish for people” (Mark 1:16). Really? Do people need to be fished for? Mark offers no explanation.
But Simon and Andrew, the fishermen, abandon their gear and start following. As do James and John, the next fishermen Jesus calls.
Then Jesus teaches in a synagogue. Listeners say, “This is amazing. This man knows what he’s talking about.” But disappointingly, for me at least, Mark doesn’t explain what Jesus was teaching.
Suddenly, Jesus’ lecture is interrupted by a man shouting, “I know who you are. You are God’s holy servant. You’ve come to destroy us” (Mark 1:24).
Jesus on a mission of destruction? Who does he want to destroy?
Not the man who’s shouting. Because Jesus blames the man’s outburst on an evil spirit who inhabits the man. Jesus tells the spirit to shut up and get lost. The spirit protests, throws the man into spasms, and leaves. The man is freed and the crowd is impressed. This man Jesus doesn’t just teach, he puts his teaching into action!
Next, Jesus visits Simon’s home and heals his mother-in-law of fever. Good news about healing and exorcism travels fast, so that evening the whole town brings the sick and afflicted to Jesus.
What do we learn from Mark’s story? Here are three suggestions.
1. So far in the story, the good news that Mark promised seems to be about making people whole, freeing them from disease and demons.
2. So far in the story, only John who is now in prison, and demons that were cast out recognize Jesus as the son of God. The disciples and crowds are impressed with his teaching and healing, but they don’t yet make the connection with his divine identity.
3. So far in the story, Jesus’ actions seem random–healing here, calling fishermen there, a synagogue or two in between. Where is he going with all this? Does he have a clear mission? Stay tuned.
Let’s pray.
Our father, we want the good news that those in Mark’s story experienced. I don’t know demons to be exorcized, but I do know people who need to be healed from addictions or arthritis or failing vision or cancer or Alzheimer’s.
O Jesus of Mark’s story. Do you still do those things today? Or do you have a different mission now?
Amen.
I’m Daniel, on the channel “Pray with Me”.
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