A Day of Activity

Mark 1:21, 22, 29-35

IN CAPERNAUM Jesus began his ministry in a synagogue on the sabbath day. He “straightway,” that is, at once, entered the synagogue. This seems to imply that the Master took little or no time to rest. Having reached the city he went immediately to the synagogue and began to preach. The Master knew that the time allotted for his entire ministry was very brief—three and one-half years in all—and to him this meant that every moment should be wisely and faithfully used.

One marked difference noticed by those in the synagogue between Jesus’ teachings and those of the scribes to whom they customarily listened, was the definiteness with which he presented his message. To his listeners it gave the impression that he spoke as one having authority, and this, apparently, the scribes did not do.

There is a lesson in this for us today. Jesus did speak with authority—the authority of the Old Testament Scriptures, as well as the authority of the Holy Spirit with which he had been anointed. We can, and should, likewise speak with authority. Ours is not an inspirational authority; nevertheless, we now have not only the Old Testament Scriptures, but the teachings of Jesus and the apostles which explain the Old Testament. If we study these inspired Scriptures with a view of showing ourselves approved unto God, we should be able to give to every man a reason for the hope which is within us, not in an uncertain manner, but with an assurance that will lead to conviction in the hearts of those who are humbly seeking for truth and righteousness.

The spirit of the world today is one of vacillation. Expediency rather than principle governs the viewpoints and actions of nearly all. This is true in the political world, the business world, and also in religious circles. In the field of religion, very few indeed care to express themselves definitely on any matter of faith or doctrine. The modern trend is toward compromise, and those few who still insist that a Christian should know what he believes and be willing to defend the faith are branded as bigots and called sectarian. But these can take comfort out of the fact that Jesus, their Captain and Leader, spoke with authority, and that every text of Scripture bearing on the subject teaches that we, his followers, should do the same.

After Jesus and the four apostles he had recently selected left the synagogue, they entered into the home of two of them—Simon and Andrew—and there they found Simon’s [Peter’s] mother-in-law sick with a fever. Yes, Peter had a wife, which is quite contrary to the teachings and practices of those who claim that he was the first head or pope of their church. This is an effective point to keep in mind when seeking to help those who have been ensnared by the false teachings of this religious system.

Jesus healed Peter’s wife’s mother, and then she ministered to their needs. But a miracle of this sort could not for long be concealed from the public. True, they had no telephones in those days, but by one means or another the news circulated, so that by the close of the day many were coming to the door of this home to seek blessings of healing from the Master.

And Jesus did not turn them away. It had been a strenuous day. Probably they had traveled some distance early that morning to reach Capernaum. They went “straightway” to the synagogue, where he taught the people. Then they went to the home of Andrew and Simon. It was now probably afternoon, but there was more work to be done. Peter’s mother-in-law needed help, and the Master gave it to her. But still the day’s work was not done, for in the evening the crowd began to gather, “and they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door.”

What an evening that must have been in Capernaum! Jesus did not seclude himself within the home, but instead came out and “healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils.” Not until all this had been accomplished, which no doubt was in the very late evening, was the work of the Master finished on this first sabbath day in Capernaum. It was a long, busy, and happy day for him, which resulted in blessings for many.

Although not included in today’s lesson, the account reveals that Jesus arose very early the next morning—even before the break of day—and went to a “solitary place” to pray. The previous day had been a successful one. The messianic cause had been greatly advanced, and the Master realized that in triumph as well as in trials he needed to seek his Father’s face for guidance and encouragement.

QUESTIONS

What outstanding difference was there between Jesus’ method of teaching and the method of the scribes?

Should the Lord’s people today be definite in their presentation of the kingdom message?

How was Jesus’ zeal manifested in connection with his service during his first day’s visit to Capernaum?

Do we need to go to the Lord in prayer when things are going well, even as when we are being severely tried?

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