[H]e healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. Mark 1:32
I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark. Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 1:29-34, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Excerpts from the introduction and first division for this text per the commentary - vv29-34:
- "With a sense of mission and urgency, Jesus is here and there, ministering to this one and then another. He truly is the Servant of the Lord, healing the physically sick and setting free spiritual prisoners held captive by the prince of darkness and his demonic hoards!"
- The healings described in the text prompts a question in the commentary: "Is there healing in the atonement? Isaiah 53:5 says, “We are healed by His wounds.” Matthew 8:17, in the parallel account of these events, even adds a quote from Isaiah 53:4: “Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains; but we in turn regarded Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.” The answer, then, is a resounding “Yes!” There is healing in the atonement! For some it is immediate but temporary, since all still die."
- "But for all who trust Jesus as Savior and Lord, it is eternal and permanent. This is plain in Revelation 21:4-5[.]
The introduction to the commentary explores how personal relationships often form based on the premise of "what can you do for me?" Yet on this question, the commentary refers us to Mark 10:45 where the text shares that Jesus seeks not to be served but to serve. Also, Jesus provides us with commands that position Him and others above ourselves:
- Love God, and love others - the two most important commandments (Matthew 22:34:40).
- Love one another as He loves us (John 13:34).
- Love your enemies and those who persecute you (Matthew 5:38-48).
- Bear with one another in love - forgiving as Jesus forgives (Colossians 3:13 and Ephesians 4:2)
To follow Jesus is NOT about getting something from Him, it's a natural response to how good He is to us as He loved us and died for us while we were still enemies of Him and slaves to our sin. He continues to pour out His love and grace for us on a daily basis. See also this post from DesiringGod.com - humility is key as must allow Jesus to be seen through us - we must decrease and He must increase.
Comment and discuss this post.
My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves and who sent Your Son to serve and die on the cross so that I can have life to the full now and for eternity. Thank You! I am not deserving of such blessings! My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
