Mark 1:29-39 The Priority of Jesus
Title: A Day in the Busy Life of Jesus (Mark 1:29-39)
Focus Keyphrase: spiritual health
Excerpt: A busy day in the life of Jesus shows us his compassion for hurting and broken people. In the midst of busyness, Jesus takes time for prayer to get recharged and focused on the main priority.
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Excerpt: A busy day in the life of Jesus shows us his compassion for hurting and broken people. In the midst of busyness, Jesus takes time for prayer to get recharged and focused on the main priority.
Mark 1:29-39 (NLT) After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.
That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. The whole town gathered at the door to watch. So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.
Jesus works day and night to show his compassion for people.
Jesus’ acts of healing and deliverance are a foretaste of what his Kingdom will bring
Notice two things: his compassion and his busyness…
Out of compassion, Jesus pours himself out in ministry.
Mark 1:29-34 (NLT) After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them. // That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. The whole town gathered at the door to watch. So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.
Jesus takes time out of the very important inauguration of his mission to heal Peter’s Mother-in-law. In fact, he’s making an important point that not only does he have the power and authority to heal but that his healing of many people and casting out demons is a foretaste of what happens when God establishes his rule on earth.
The devil had set up shop on earth but Jesus was coming to set up his Kingdom. He is starting the restoration process of the fallen world. Starting with Peter’s mom, we see that she is fully restored to the point of resuming normal duties. He’s doing that one person at a time. Imagine the people's desperation to bring their sick and oppressed family members to Jesus! Imagine how busy Jesus was!
Another interesting point is that he did not allow the demons to speak. This was his way of silencing the abusers. He would bring about the Kingdom on his terms as he saw fit. This alludes to his power and authority that we saw last week but with this newly added component of compassion. He does not misuse his power but uses it for good. The whole town senses his goodness and wants a taste of heaven for themselves, if even for a moment of temporary relief. It shows how heavy the weights of this world are on humanity. They had probably tried everything. Finally, Jesus has the solution to their burdens.
John 10:10 (NLT) The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
People are important enough to God to take time for personal touches of power and love.
Meeting the needs of a broken world can be draining
TRANS: But that’s just on the surface. Look at what lies beneath… (peel layer back)
The next morning we see the source of Jesus’ selfless service.
Even Jesus needs the discipline of devotional time and prayer.
Mark 1:35-37 (NLT) Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
Jesus just had one of the longest days of his life so far. This goes back to the theme of the gospel in action. Things are happening so fast once Jesus steps on the scene. It’s interesting that up until this point there isn’t even a mention of a break to eat, sleep or even sit down. We see here though that Jesus takes some intentional time to go pray. He knew he needed to get away for a moment to a place where there was silence. It says in the text that news of him had been spreading quickly so if he didn’t take a break now he may never get one. Yet this is more than a break. It is a time of spiritual renewal. Even Jesus needs the discipline of devotion time and prayer.
It seems obvious that we all need rest but yet we struggle with taking time to talk to God. We would rather keep grinding away than make ourselves take a moment to reflect and refocus. Sometimes we need to step out of the project we’re working on and take a look at the bigger picture.
Expending yourself requires you to recharge through spiritual disciplines.
Prayer can help us rely on God’s higher point of view.
Matthew 6:10 (ESV) Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus could have been very easily distracted but he knew there was a greater purpose than people's immediate needs. The bigger picture is the advance of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth!
TRANS: Peel the layer back just a little more…
The main priority of Jesus’ time on earth was to tell people the good news.
Mark 1:38-39 (NLT) But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.
He could have stayed in one place and healed every affliction of those who would come to him. Yet, he leaves and makes sure to let the disciples know the primary reason he came. Healings and deliverance were secondary to the main goal, which is salvation. He came to give them eternal life. (Gospel)
Preaching about the Kingdom is not just a Sunday preacher's job but every Christian is called to preach.
This can be called discipleship, evangelism, mentoring etc. This is primary. Even though we are also called to show compassion and be the hands and feet of Jesus, our greatest way of spreading the Kingdom is through sharing truth.
Mark 16:15 (NLT) And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.
The deepest need of the broken world around us is spiritual, not physical.
Close: Jesus’ compassion for hurting and broken people keeps him busy. Yet, he still finds time to pray so that he doesn’t lose focus on the main priority which is to take care of sin once and for all.
What is our priority? Do we get busy without taking time to recharge and refocus? Do we use our hands and feet but never our mouth?
Let us not be like “the whole town” of Capernaum and only seek Jesus for temporal blessing or relief. Our needs are greater than our circumstances. We need a healing of our souls!