Bible in 5: Mark 1:21-39 — A Day in Capernaum
A single Sabbath is enough for Mark to show who Jesus is: he teaches, frees, heals and prays.
Mark devotes a day in Capernaum, by the Sea of Galilee, to answering an uncomfortable question: who is this Jesus? He writes for believers of Gentile origin, perhaps in Rome, between AD 50 and 65 (Mark 1:21-39).
A Sabbath with a full schedule
Everything happens on a day of rest, or Sabbath, as the version itself notes. Jesus teaches in the synagogue and the people are astonished: "he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes" (Mark 1:22, ESV). The scribes supported what they said with earlier teachers; he spoke with his own weight.
From there they go to Simon's house, where his mother-in-law is in bed with a fever. He takes her by the hand and lifts her up. By evening, the whole city gathers at the door and he heals many. That comes after John the Baptist, the baptism and the temptation in the wilderness (Mark 1:1-13); and before the leper who says to him: "If you will, you can make me clean" (Mark 1:40, ESV).
«The power that raises you up is for serving without an audience.»
What that day reveals
First, his word commands. Fever and demons obey; it is not one piece of advice among many. Second, the kingdom is received by grace: the call is to repent and believe (see Mark 1:15), and no one comes to him already healthy. Third, his power is compassionate: he does not expose the sick woman, he raises her up.
Fourth, prayer orders the agenda. "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed" (Mark 1:35, ESV). And fifth, preaching comes before fame: "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out" (Mark 1:38, ESV). Capernaum wanted to keep him; he went out to the neighboring towns.
Your Capernaum also has its door
Your week has a synagogue, a house and a door: the classroom, work, the small group, the chat that never stops. Three concrete steps.
What you do not control needs a word from Christ, not more willpower: anxiety, a habit, a fear. Take it to him today, not tomorrow.
Success can also divert you. Jesus was told that everyone was looking for him, and he went elsewhere. Before picking up your phone, set aside five minutes to pray and ask yourself what God called you for.
The power that raises you up is for serving without an audience.
Simon's mother-in-law got up and served them (see Mark 1:31). The most real service almost never has an audience.
If you read the previous installment (Mark 1:14-20), this is its continuation; the next is the leper, in Mark 1:40-45.
What comfortable thing would you have to let go of to obey Jesus where no one applauds you?
