The first disciples have been called and they are with Jesus, watching him, as hopefully we are too. What we see first is Jesus attacking evils that hold people captive, dehumanising and alienating them from society. Within the broad outlines of a day in the life of Jesus, Mark present four connected episodes. They bear traces of the vivid imagery of early cherished memories from eye witnesses.
The day begins with Jesus teaching in the synagogue, and all are amazed for He teaches not like the scribes who repeat what they have learnt from books, but with authority, as one with real power. When the madman shrieks out that Jesus from Nazareth is the Holy One of God, or Messiah, Jesus dramatically cures him, but silences the demon. Mark's Gospel implies that a demon knows in some way Jesus is the Messiah.
From the synagogue, Jesus goes to Simon's house where He is at once completely cures the mother of Simon's wife with the same power. After sunset, at the end of the Sabbath, the sick of Capernaum are brought to this house of Simon, and Jesus cures many different kinds of physical and mental illness. Mark, by showing Jesus silencing the demons, implies that the true nature of the Messiah can be known only through faith given by God.
Next morning, we find Jesus praying in a lonely place. His prayer points to the source for His power and authority. It is through this kind of prayerful union with God that Jesus in His humanness draws strength to leave Capernaurm, where He is welcomed and sought, and take the gospel to other places where He may not be welcomed. So begins for Jesus many days of bringing the gospel in the synagogues of Galilee and of freeing people from the evils in their lives.
In our journal and/or our discussion group we may wish to reflect on this passage as follows:
- Name the key points that you have learnt about the person of Jesus in this passage of scripture?
- Reflect on the key words in this passage for they contain the substance and purpose of all the things Jesus said and did- His mission.
- Try to get in touch with any desire you truly feel in yourself of the power of God to free from evil, which Jesus called the kingdom of God.
- Consider how do we presently proclaim the kingdom of God in our life.
- Consider what changes we will make to proclaim the kingdom of God in our lives.
- Reflect on a time in our lives where we have spent a day with Jesus.
- How can I review and improve my prayer life?
- What do these words healing, teaching and prayer mean to me in my life?
- What is my attitude to the gift of healing?
- Make a list of areas in my life that need a change of heart and develop an action plan on how this change of heart might occur. (eg name an area and name one/two changes that you will implement with God's help.
- What impact does the day in the life of Jesus have on you (1:21-39). .
- How has this passage spoken to you- what does it say to you personally?
What does this passage of scripture tell you about the person of Jesus?
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