Mark 1:21-34: From Fear To Blessing- Welcoming The Holy One

Even though we spoke about Mark 1:21-28 last week let’s read them again as we read Mark 1:21-34.

And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

In Mark 1:21-34 three events that are taking place on the same day.

• In verses 21-27 Jesus is teaching in the synagogue and the people are witnessing His authority.

• In verses 28-31 Jesus is in the home of Peter and Andrew when He heals Peter’s mother-in-law.

• In verses 32-34 Jesus ministers to the community that came to see Him.

In these verses we see that wherever Jesus is a blessing follows. Jesus blesses the synagogue, a family, and a community. Therefore, we ought to be encouraged that when Jesus is brought into all these areas of our lives He will bring blessings.

In 2 Samuel 6 we see similar things happening in the Old Testament. In 2 Samuel 5 the LORD has just made David king. This change in Israel’s leadership is going to bring about wonderful changes. Saul had broken faith with the LORD and he did not keep the command of the LORD. (I Chronicles 10:13-14) Under his leadership Israel was not doing well spiritually and their enemies were strong.

However, when the LORD makes David king these things begin to change. (5:1-16) First, in 2 Samuel 5:17-25 David defeats the Philistines. Second, in 2 Samuel 6 David desires to bring spiritual reform to Israel. In 6:1-4 we read, “David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim. And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart, with the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark.”

Because Israel was just coming out of a state of spiritual decline they did not transport the Ark as the LORD had instructed them and tragedy ensued. We read in 1:5-7, “And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.”

As the Ark was being brought to Jerusalem the people celebrated, but when Uzzah died the mood quickly changed. David had three reactions: he became angry, he was afraid, and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” David desired the blessing of having the Ark of the Covenant and God’s presence in Jerusalem, but now it seemed impossible. It seemed as though Israel’s spiritual renewal would come to an abrupt end. This event had taught David that sinful men cannot transgress the holiness of God and live. As a result of this, David left the Ark of the Covenant at the house of a man named Obed-edom and return to Jerusalem. (6:8-10)

In the coming days David would have pondered all that had happened. He wanted to bring the Ark of to Jerusalem, but how could this be done safely? While he contemplated these verse 11 says, “And the Ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-edomthe Gittite three months…”. This verse does not end there but says, “...and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and all his household.” Remarkable, the Ark that had killed one man now blesses another man and His family!

These blessings were so obvious that in just three months this news had made it to Jerusalem. This news had a profound impact upon David. We read in 6:12-15, “And it was told King David, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. And when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn.”

News of this blessing helped overcome David’s anger and fear so that he brought the Ark to Jerusalem. This time David made sure that everyone followed the LORD’s instructions on how this was to be done. In this story we have seen that the holiness of God separates the LORD from sinners. We have also seen that the holiness God blesses those who obey His Word. Now that the Ark of the Covenant was in Jerusalem David hoped that the LORD would bless Israel’s worship, would bless Israel’s families, and would bless the whole community.

I had us consider this story because we will see similarities with what we see in Mark 1:21-34. The Tabernacle was where God dwelt among His people. Now in Mark’s Gospel we see that God (1:1) has come into the world and is dwelling among men. (John 1:14- And the Word became flesh and dwelt (tabernacled) among us…). The One who dwelt upon the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant is now walking among men! Would mankind be safe?

In Mark’s gospel we have seen that Jesus is holy. Jesus proved to be absolutely holy when at His baptism the Holy Spirit came and remained upon Him. (1:9-11) We saw that Jesus was perfectly holy when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness and did not sin. (1:12-13) We also heard the testimony of the unclean spirit, saying, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are- the Holy One of God.” (24)

This demon not only testified of Jesus’ holiness, but he also testified that one day Jesus would destroy Satan, every demon, and all those who are associated with his kingdom. (1:24) Therefore, we would all do well to hear and obey the words of Jesus in Mark 1:15, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” Christ came preaching that if men were to draw near to God they needed to repent of their sin and believe the gospel regarding Jesus Christ.

Mark 1:21-34 shows us how Jesus came displaying His power and authority. This was not manifested through the use of a rod of iron’. (Ps.2:9) No, His power and authority was manifested as He preached the Good News and delivers those who are afflicted in various ways. The people testified of this, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” (1:27)

In all three of these stories in Mark 1:21-34 we see that Jesus dispersed many blessings upon all types of people: saints, sinners, the oppressed, sick, diseased, and the afflicted. As Jesus did this His fame spread quickly throughout Israel. (Just like the news of Obed-edom’s blessing spread.)

Observation: Even though Jesus’ fame began to spread out from Capernaum in vs. 28 and many came to Jesus (32-34), we will see in Mark 1:35-39 that Jesus would not stay there and expect people to come to Him. No, Jesus went out seeking the lost. Similarly, we want God to bring great blessings to our church, but we are called to go out to find those who would not come to us. Is Community Church willing to do this? (Review Community Churches structure and Goals for the next five years)

Just as the Ark of the Covenant brought blessings to those who worshiped at the Tabernacle, to families, and to the community; similarly, when Jesus tabernacled among men He would bless the church, the family, and the community. Last week we saw how much Jesus blessed His church as He taught the truth and cast out a demon. Today, we will see Jesus blesses a family and then blesses a community.

In verses 29-31 Jesus leaves the synagogue and goes to Peter and Andrew’s home. When Jesus arrives He discovers that Peter’s mother-in-law is sick with a fever. As soon as He hears of this He heals her and she immediately begins to serve them. What a blessing!

Observation: I have been impressed with how Jesus has interacted with the parents of His disciples in the Gospel of Mark. In our text we see Jesus taking a special interest in Peter’s mother-in-law. Similarly, in Mark 1:16-20 we were given a glimpse into how Jesus respected the father of John and James. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew he gave them a command, but when He called James and John He gave them an invitation. (“And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.”) Why is there a difference between these two callings? One was a command and the other an invitation.

When we considered that text I said that Jesus knows how to call each of us. When Jesus calls us He may command, some He will invite, some He may warn regarding our tendency to disobey, some He may emphasize a promise. In the end, the saving faith that is common among all believers will always respond the same by submitting to the will of God as these four disciples did in Mark 1:16-20.

Maybe Jesus knew the hearts of these four men and spoke to them in the best appropriate way. Or could it be that Jesus gave James and John an invitation out of respect and honor for their father who was with them in the boat that day? I did not mention it before because we are not given these details in scripture. However, I am convinced that everything Jesus did and said throughout His ministry would have honored the fifth commandment to honor one’s father and mother. His invitation was as much for the benefit of Zebedee as it was for his two sons. Remember, Jesus wants to bless families.

When we read about John and James leaving their father we may struggle with it, but it may be that as Zebedee watched his sons walk away with Jesus that he had been helped to understand that this was a blessing for them all.

This brings us to verses 30-34 which reminds us that Jesus wants to bless the community around us, saying, “That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.”

Observation#1: Consider the hospitality of Peter’s mother-in-law. A great crowd had gathered at her home as the sun went down. This was a crowd that was full of sick and oppressed people. They had diseases and demons. They did not gather outside the gate, but at her door. Her hospitality continues into Mark 2 when part of this woman’s roof is removed so that a paralytic could be lowered down before Jesus. (2:1-12) She served Jesus and her family in 1:31, but she continued to serve many for the benefit of the ministry of the gospel that evening. Her reward will be great. (Mark 9:41)

Note: The first floor ministry of the church is important: people, programs, place, and personalities, but so is the second floor ministry where Christ’s people are bound together by the Gospel Call to minister outside the church to make Christ’s fame abound everywhere unto salvation!

Observation#2: Notice that these people were made up of Jew and Gentile. The fact that their were Jews and Gentiles did not matter to Jesus because the Great Physician wanted to bless them all! (Mark 2:17)

Observation #3: Most of them had not been to the synagogue that morning but Christ still blessed them. True, many of them did not go to the synagogue because they were sick, diseased, and demon possessed; and yet, when they heard that there was a man at this home who could help them they came without delay. The sick, the diseased, the demon possessed could not be kept from coming to Jesus for help. Unfortunately too many neglect gathering together on the LORD’s day as if God hasn’t promised to meet them their.

Observation #4: They may not have honored the Sabbath before their healing, but they would have no reason to do so now. Instead, because of this blessing they ought to do so instictively and serve the LORD with thankfulness as Peter’s mother was doing.

Observation #5: All of these people experienced a great blessing from Jesus, but the greatest blessing Christ wanted to give to them was the forgiveness of their sins so that they would have peace with God and a place in His Kingdom and His family. (2:1-12)

My friends, I hope this text has encouraged us to invite Christ into every area of our lives: our church, our family, our community. When Jesus is invited into these areas He will bless us all.

• Jesus can restore individuals and families in our religiously veneered community.

• Jesus can mature disciples in our church who will be faithful worshipers, sacrificial servants, compassionate witnesses, and empowering equipper’s.

• Jesus can bring hope through saving faith in Jesus to those we live with, live by, and work and play with.

• Let’s each of us discover what our Kingdom Platform is and participate in the Great Commission. (Mt. 28:19-20)