In his epistle written around A.D. 66, John Mark began his letter by introducing John The Baptist, God’s messenger by describing how his role was to announce the coming of the Messiah, and baptize Him in the Jordan River so Jesus could fulfill all righteousness, and be identify with those He came to redeem.
After He was baptized, Christ was tested by Satan in the wilderness for forty days but the Messiah persevered and resisted temptation as He prepared for His ministry, which He started in Galilee while John The Baptist was imprisoned for rebuking Herod Antipas.
The Lord’s ministry began along the Sea of Galilee where He recruited His first four apostles, Simon, Andrew, James and John, who were all fishermen from Capernaum, a small fishing village located on the northern shore of the lake. This was the location where Jesus performed His first recorded miracle when He healed a possessed man, delivering him from a demon. Jesus followed His first miracle with another when He miraculously healed Simon’s mother in law who was gravely ill, then as word spread about these healings, the entire population of the city gathered outside the house door where Jesus answered the call to heal the sick.
The next morning, Jesus rose before sunrise and departed to a solitary place to pray and prepare for the day which He used to preach the gospel and heal more people in need as He embarked on a missionary journey through the region.
“40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” (Mark 1:40-41)
Because leprosy was an incurable disease, lepers, who were considered “unclean” were outcast from communities and segregated based on the fact they were contagious. Even rabbis would not come near them for fear of becoming “defiled,” but Jesus answered His calling by not only healing the leper, but by showing the man compassion that could only flow from the One who created him.
“42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” (Mark 1:42-44)
Here, Mark describes how the leper was healed by Jesus, then the man, who was seemingly a Jew was warned to be silent about the healing as he went on his way and abided by the Law which called on he who was healed to provide an offering of two living birds, cedar wood, scarlet wool, hyssop, two male lambs, one female lamb, three tenth deals of flour mingled with oil and one log of oil. The cleaned leper would also be expected to partake in a week long ceremony in order to be declared clean, and healed by the priest so the individual could return to society.
“45 However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.” (Mark 1:445)
As the miraculous healing was of such impact to him, the man disobeyed Jesus and instead of keeping his healing private, he shared his story with everyone which resulted in a mob like response that forced Jesus to further His ministry outside city limits where He could both heal and preach with minimal interruptions. Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for your blessings in our lives,
We praise you Lord for the wisdom found through the gospel of Mark,
We ask you Lord to inspire us to use these verses in our lives
As we continue to learn more about you through your word.
Lord we ask you to strengthen us each day as we endure through battles,
Allow us to praise and love each other through faith in you Jesus,
Shield us from evil through truth, the gospel, salvation and prayer,
Guide us to abide by your word as we spread your gospel to one and all
Becoming examples of faith through our character as we walk the narrow path.
God we pray that you will continue to bless us, to bless our lives and fill us with hope
We ask you Lord to guide our footsteps and lead us to the way everlasting,
Through faith in you Lord we seek salvation and a place with you in heaven
According to your ways, your everlasting wisdom and strength.
May your will be done
In our lives, for your life.
We thank you for your love and all you bless us with each day.
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: danielstpierre@thrivethroughchrist.com
