MARKAN MEDITATIONS

Meditations in the Gospel of St. Mark

St. Mark 1:29-34

=====

IN THIS short passage we have an example of the divine compassion and power of Jesus demonstrated in his healing of the sick.

Firstly, there is a lesson concerning prayer. In verse 30 we read that "they told Jesus about her", that is about Peter's mother-in-law and about her very serious sickness. This is a prayer to Jesus, although it is not in nature of a request. All communication with Jesus is prayer. This prayer teaches a very important lesson about prayer and of intercessory prayer. What we tend to do is ask Jesus to do something specific. Although this cannot be said to be wrong, it is unnecessary and rather unwise. Jesus' love and compassion is boundless. His wisdom is infinite, and he knows what is best for us always. He also knows all about our best interests and needs, and has a sure purpose for us. In view of this, all we need to do is to tell Jesus about our needs. This is letting our requests be known to God, but in a way where we hand over the need, problem or trouble to the Lord in faith, knowing that he will not fail in wisdom and love with regard to our request. There is a total release from striving in understanding this, and also we are not in danger of believing we are heard for our much speaking, so turning prayer into a meritorious work which is contrary to the Gospel.

Secondly, we have a demonstration of the complete miraculous healing by Jesus. It is a revelation of his divinity. There is nothing like this in human power whatsoever and should increase our faith in Jesus as the Son of God and Saviour. Not only did Jesus have creative power, but he also had the love and compassion to heal. Let us notice the healing of Peter's mother-in-law. She was so sick that she could not raise herself from her bed. Jesus took her hand and helped her to stand up, and the fever left her. This is not just that the fever had worked its course and was now gone still leaving the patient weak and unable to get up, which is what is normally to be expected in the healing of a fever. Rather it is something quite different and total miraculous. The fever not only is taken away, but all the weakness and destruction of the body caused by the fever is removed in moment, and by a an action of power on the part of Jesus. Peter's mother-in-law was as if she had never been sick. The completeness of the healing is seen in that she was able to provide food for them. Can anyone really doubt the real deity of Jesus when we read such a fact about his life.

In this example of physical healing we have a picture of the Spiritual saving healing of Jesus of our souls from sin, Satan, death and hell. Salvation is not a taking away of sin simply to give us a new start, leaving our salvation still in our weak hands, although helped by grace. No! salvation is a complete healing of the soul where not only are we justified wholly before God, but God has given us new life to be like God in righteousness and true holiness, and even though we have to suffer the plague of our sinful flesh all the time we still live on this earth, Salvation also includes bringing us to heavenly glory to be presented spotless before the throne of God. Just as Jesus completely healed Peter's mother-in-law from her fever, so he heals our souls in salvation so that we will be brought safe to glory one day, and that by his divine power and action, leaving us nothing to contribute, but simply to receive gratefully and humbly.

Thirdly, we learn the truth of the words "he that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out". All the sick and those possessed with devils were brought to Jesus. When it says in verse 34 that Jesus healed many who were sick, this is not suggesting that he left some unhealed, but is telling us that it was not a few sick people that were brought to him, but many. Jesus' power and compassion reached to all. It assures us that if we come to Jesus sincerely in our need, with humble and penitent hearts, throwing ourselves on his mercy and grace, we will never be disappointed. We will never be rejected or forsaken. Salvation will be ours in all its fulness.

Lastly, there is a lesson to be learnt from the fact that Jesus came to the home of Peter's relations, and the disciples, including Peter, came with him. Although Jesus had called the apostles away from their worldly employment in order to serve him wholly, this did not mean that they were to be forever cut off from their family and friends. Although, no doubt, family ties and friendship must never come between us and our love for the Lord, Jesus never means us to forsake our friends and families, and that the love of friends and family, and to enjoy this, is his purpose for his disciples. Jesus also wants to share our friends and family with us and to show his love and compassion to them as well as to us. How blest are the friends and relations of the Christian, even though they may not be believers themselves. Because of Jesus' love for the believer he also cares for and blesses those who are associated with them.