Mark 1:29-34 - Healings in Capernaum

Mark 1:29-34
29 And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her. 31 And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them.

32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34 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.

Message: Healings in Capernaum

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

I have just left Jesus exorcising a demon from a man in the synagogue. Jesus is getting personal now. He began with the message - repent and believe - and then he called his disciples to be fishers of men. He shared in the synagogue, speaking with authority and along the way, engages with a man with an unclean spirit (possessed) and removes that spirit from him with only a word. Now, he goes to the house of Simon (the Apostle Peter) and Andrew (both his called disciples) with James and John as well coming along, he comes to a sick woman (Simon's mother-in-law) and heals her. Her response is noted - she serves him. Obviously, this type of healing begins to get everyone's attention as news of this spreads and soon many are coming to him to be healed, putting their faith in him (I would imagine).

A couple of notes:

• This passage mentions Peter's mother-in-law which means Peter was married. Thus, Jesus chose a married man to be an apostle. 
• Andrew seems to also be living with Simon in the same house
• Immediately into the house, immediately to the matter, immediately healed. 
• Mark does note that they came after sundown, thus after the Sabbath day had been completed, as these people still felt like this type of work should not be done until the Sabbath was over. \
• The demons were muzzled
• At various times in the gospels, Jesus does not permit people to speak about him being the Messiah. Jesus did not desire at this time for this to be known by all the people. Therefore, he imposed silence on the evil spirits. 

Exorcisms and healing's are supernatural events. Naturally, upon reading these one has a desire to see these events duplicated. This what is recorded as "they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those demon-possessed." But going beyond the account, Jesus saw a need and met it and those people were forever changed. 

Promise: Jesus continues to be personal, this time healing his disciples' mother-in-law

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your healing touch on our lives and knowing the right time when to reveal yourself to people.