Hello Saints,
Today, let’s explore the healings and miracles of Jesus while He was at Simon and Andrew’s house:
Now when evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed.
— Mark 1:32
After the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law, we see the people bringing those in need to Jesus. Mark highlights two main groups of people who were brought to Him.
The first group consisted of those who were ill. We learn that these illnesses were of various kinds, which reminds us of our Lord’s authority over all kinds of illnesses. There is no illness unknown to our God. Having created the human body, He is the greatest physician who has ever existed. There is no cell in the body that is not accounted for by our Creator.
The second group includes those who were demon-possessed—people inhabited by unclean spirits, similar to the man at the synagogue.
Once again, we see Jesus’ authority over all created things across all dimensions—in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, in the kingdom of darkness. His authority truly extends across the universe and all dimensions. As the Apostle John writes of His authority:
All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being.
— John 1:3
Speaking of this authority, even the psalmist, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote concerning our Lord Jesus Christ as the One who has authority over all things:
Of David. A Psalm.
Yahweh says to my Lord:
“Sit at My right hand
Until I put Your enemies as a footstool for Your feet.”
— Psalm 110:1
Only unclean spirits, being the enemies of our Lord, have been placed as a footstool to Jesus Christ. This is how far His authority extends.
The next verse tells us of the dire need for a Savior among the people. Mark notes that all the people gathered at the door:
And the whole city had gathered at the door.
— Mark 1:33
One can imagine the scene of multitudes gathering at Simon Peter’s house in Capernaum, seeking healing. This emphasizes the fragility of our humanity—we are constantly in need of a Savior. Blessed be our Lord, who is indeed our Savior.
This account further shows that many who gathered for healing were indeed healed. Mark is careful to emphasize that they were healed by the hand of Jesus.
This is important to note because these miraculous healings were the means by which God ordained to validate His Son to mankind. Just as with Moses and Elijah before Him, the working of miracles was the way God would validate that Jesus was indeed sent forth from the Father.
And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
— Mark 1:34
Finally, we see how Jesus fulfills the many prophecies about the Messiah coming to heal diseases, just as the psalmist speaks of the works that God would do:
Bless Yahweh, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless Yahweh, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
— Psalm 103:1-5
One thing we notice is that the text reminds us that the demons knew who Jesus was and that Jesus would not permit them to speak concerning who he was. This is because the time had not yet come for him to reveal himself to the rest of the world.
In this scene, where Jesus is performing healing miracles and casting out demons, it is important to notice how the people believed in Jesus’s healing abilities and took the step to bring their infirmities to Him, resulting in their healing.
We can learn from the people the importance of coming to Jesus with all our troubles. This is something that Jesus Himself requests of us:
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
— Matthew 11:29-30
As you go about your day, remember that our Lord cares for us and is open to us bringing to Him all the things that trouble our hearts. As Peter shares with the Christian exiles, we are to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God because He cares for us:
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
— 1 Peter 5:6-7
As Christians, we should know that our God is relational, and our God is love just as much as He is just. Therefore, having placed our faith in Christ, we ought to feel free to run to Him with whatever troubles our hearts and cast our cares upon Him because, as Peter says, He cares for us.
I pray that this word will encourage you to bring whatever troubles your heart to Jesus and always remember that He is a caring Lord.
Be blessed in Christ.
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