Rev. Dan Speckhard, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church and School in North Judson, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 1:29-39.
Jesus wastes no time as He leaves the synagogue in Capernaum and enters Simon’s house. There, the disciples bring their petition in faith toward Jesus on behalf of Simon’s mother-in-law. He does not leave their prayer unanswered; He provides healing for the ill woman through His touch. She sets an example of Christian faith; in response to being served by Jesus, she serves Him. News about Jesus has traveled fast on that Sabbath day. Once it is over, at sundown, more come to Jesus in order to be healed and have demons cast out. Jesus’ miracles point forward to His gift of full healing at the resurrection. Early the next morning, Jesus goes by Himself to pray to His Father for the salvation of sinners. His disciples seek Him out, and He reminds them of His purpose of proclaiming the Gospel to all people. Though the residents of Capernaum may have been disappointed that Jesus left, He did so for their good and the good of all people, in order to go eventually to His death and resurrection for sinners.
“The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel account, and he never lets up the pace. As one deed of Jesus comes right after another, always paired with His authoritative Word, St. Mark proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, revealed conclusively by His death on the cross.
Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.
Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.
Mark 1:29-39
Jesus Heals Many
29 And immediately he[a] left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 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.
Jesus Preaches in Galilee
35 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. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.
Footnotes
- Mark 1:29 Some manuscripts they
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
