Mark 1:16-39 ~ and followed Him

Mark 1:16-39

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 

19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"

25 "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" 26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"

38 Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Meeting Life's Demands by Ray Stedman

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed  (Mark 1:35).

After this full day—and what a full day it was, what a heavy ministry our Lord had that day with all the healing He did in the evening!—Mark records that early in the morning, before it was daylight, Jesus went out on the mountainside, and there, by Himself, He prayed. But even there He was not safe. His disciples interrupted this communion, told Him that everyone was looking for Him. And Jesus reveals the heart and substance of His prayer in what He says in reply: "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also." This is what He was praying about—that God would lead Him, doors would be opened, and hearts prepared in the cities to which He would go next.

Why did Jesus seek the Father's face like this, in these hours of pressure? The only answer we can come to is that He wants to make clear that the authority He had was not coming from Him. This is what our Lord is trying to get across to us so continually in the Scriptures—that it was not His authority by which He acted; He had to receive it from the Father.

I do not know any more confusing doctrine in Christendom today—one that has robbed the Scriptures of their authority and power in the minds and hearts of countless people—than the idea that Jesus acted by virtue of the fact that He was the Son of God, that the authority and power He demonstrated were due to His own deity. Yet He Himself takes great pains to tell us this is not the case. "The Son can do nothing by himself" (John 5:19). Why do we ignore His explanation and insist that it is He, acting as the Son of God? He tells us that "This is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work"(John 14:10). And all the power that Jesus manifested had to come to Him constantly from the one who dwelt within Him.

Jesus stresses this because this is what He wants us to learn. We are to operate on the same basis. Our response to the normal, ordinary demands of life and the power to cope with those demands must come from our reliance upon Him at work within us.

This is the secret: All power to live the Christian life comes not from us, doing our dead-level best to serve God, but from Him, granted to us moment by moment as the demand is made upon us. Father God's Power is given to those who follow, who obey. The Father is at work in the Son; the Son is at work in us. As we learn this, then we are given power to meet the demands and the needs that are waiting for us in the ministry yet to come.

Thank You, Father, that the same power is available to me today, making me ready so be your instrument in any and every situation in which demand is laid upon me. Let our Amen always be in Jesus.

I was given a Sea of Galilee small stone by a man and his wife who recently married in Cana.  This stone is not new. And today I touched it with gratitude. This rock was in the Sea of Galilee the same time Jesus was. Today - I felt something near to Jesus. And really - we all are this close when we ask God to dwell in us.

Jeremiah 23
And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’


Father God, this is Lent. I prepare again to remember Goodness, Innocence, Love, Joy, Peace, Truth opened Your Son's arms to accept forgiveness for my sins. I remember again that I have sin, flaws and shades and variations that You would heal, fix, forgive, bless and rebuke. I remember Simon carrying Your cross. Because You were too hurt to carry the huge weight of that burden. You changed lives as You walked covered in blood. Simon's son and his wife would help Christians for a long time to come. Multitudes of women were brave to cry to see Your sacrifice and pain.

Forgive me when I am wrong. Father in your Power -Strengthen me to be right in Faith in Your name. Help me to be on Your Path of Goodness. Protect me to stay on Your Path. Guide me in wisdom to stay on Your Path. Help me to help others on the good Path You would give. Help us Strengthen each other in Genuine Relationship with You and the Body of Christ for the upbuilding of Love for this generation and the ones to come. We ask Your Power in establishing Peace and Wisdom. At Your Word - all things obey.

Your path helps us to remember we are so Loved by You. Our gifts and talents are gifts from You. Finding this fulfillment is bringing Heaven to Earth and using our abilities to Your Glory.

Because You have given us Your Son's Law of Love. And help me each day to renew in Your mercies of Hope, Faith and Love. You are a God of Love. Creating a path to eternity where You call Your Beloved. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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