Mark 1:29-34

It’s been a full on afternoon, Jesus’ new disciples have just witnessed an incredible event.  Not only was he recognized at the synagogue as a teacher of great authority, whilst Jesus was teaching the brothers witnessed Jesus confront a man with an evil spirit and cast out the spirit without even breaking a sweat.

But the evil spirit had said something interesting – it had called Jesus the Holy One of God.  What did this mean, who exactly was it that had given up everything for, could he really be the promised Messiah?  Those questions would have to wait, it was getting late and it was time for dinner so they headed to the home of Simon and Andrew.

Yet upon entering the house another dilemma presented herself, the matriarch of the house, Simon’s mother in law was not well.  In fact she was in bed with a fever.  Upon telling Jesus, probably in the way of explanation and apology for no ready meal Jesus approaches her and takes her by the hand.  Immediately the fever leaves her and she is able to prepare a meal for them.

Imagine being there, imagine seeing Jesus take this woman who moments earlier was confined to rest because of a fever and through Jesus’ touch alone was restored to her former strength.  Surely there was something different about this Jesus, what was the conversation around the dinner table that night?

But the excitement of the day was not over, hearing rumors of Jesus miraculous activities crowds gather at the door bringing all who were sick or demon possessed in the place for Jesus to heal.

I love the fact that we are only in the first chapter of Mark and already the author is grouping together these amazing miracles into a broad event.  The author knows just how huge a task it would be to individually describe all the events that occurred in just that one night and so groups them together with a broad brush.

How amazing is this Jesus that we follow that the authors that document his life cannot even begin to describe everything that Jesus did?

Now: Read Mark 1:29-34

Then: Go Swedish (what’s this?)