This Week with the Word

The Uniform Lesson for July 13
Background & Commentary by Sam E. Stone

Who is Jesus? We know, of course, that he is the Son of God. But how can we explain to others all that he is and does? One way is to share with them some of the images of him in Scripture. This month we will see examples from a different Gospel each week. Today in Mark 1 Christ demonstrates both his compassion and his power.

Great Crowds/Mark 1:29-34

Verse 29. As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. This account follows directly after the synagogue service on the Sabbath. Peter and Andrew had lived at Bethsaida before this (John 1:44), but it appears they have moved into Capernaum now.

Verse 30. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. Literally she “lay prostrate burning with fever.” Using a technical medical term, Dr. Luke calls it a “high fever” (Luke 4:38). This verse also confirms that Peter was married (see 1 Corinthians 9:5). Although the Roman Catholic Church forbids its priests to marry, the man they claim as the first pope was definitely married.

Verse 31. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. The healing was instantaneous. She quickly showed her gratitude by serving others.

Verse 32. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. Sabbath ended at sundown, permitting the people to then carry the sick people to the Great Physician (see Jeremiah 17:21, 22). Note that the Gospel writers distinguish between physical illness and demon possession.

Verses 33, 34. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. Imagine the excitement at Peter’s home as the long line stretched down the street from his front door. All sorts of people, with all sorts of needs—all were recipients of the grace of Jesus. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. Last week’s lesson also showed Jesus refusing the testimony of demons (see Luke 4:33-35).

Time Apart/Mark 1:35-39

Verse 35. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. The term used by Mark refers to the last watch of the night, from 3:00-6:00 a.m., while it was still a bit dark. Away from people, Jesus found solitude and quiet in the nearby hills. It appears that he often located places away from the crowd, wherever he might be, for private prayer to his Father (see Mark 6:46; 14:32; Luke 6:12). Time of prayer away from the crowd provided a safeguard against vain-glory and was fitting preparation for this first missionary tour.

Verses 36-39. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. A clamoring crowd in one spot would tempt most people to stay and enjoy their success, but Jesus felt his responsibility to help other needy ones too (see Luke 4:43; John 16:28). God wants all people to be saved.

Compassionate Cure/Mark 1:40-45

Verse 40. A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” The man must have had great faith, since there is only one case of leper-cleansing mentioned in the entire Old Testament (2 Kings 5:1-19). Luke adds that he “fell with his face to the ground” before Jesus (Luke 5:12), noting that he was “covered with leprosy” (in the advanced stages). Leprosy was the most dreaded disease of that day. God used it as a symbol of sin and its consequences, showing in the body how sin ravages the soul.

Verses 41, 42. Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Even to touch a leper brought defilement under the Mosaic Law (see Leviticus 13). As a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6), Jesus possessed the priestly right to touch the leper without defilement, however (Hebrews 4:15). The healing was immediate.

Verses 43, 44. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” The man was to go immediately to the priest. Jesus respected the Old Testament law (Leviticus 14:2). He also wanted to allay excitement and avoid needless opposition so that he could continue to move freely, teaching and healing others.

Verse 45. Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. The man couldn’t contain his gratitude and joy. Nevertheless, the result of his enthusiastic testimony forced the Powerful Healer to leave the area for a time. |L

Sam E. Stone is the former editor of Christian Standard. He continues his writing and speaking ministry from his home in Cincinnati, Ohio.