This
section marks the first in a series of four cycles of Teaching and Miracles
that span Mark 1:21-8:30. Mark uses the structure to emphasize different
aspects of Jesus being the Servant of the LORD. This full series concentrates
on Jesus’ person. We find out about who He was and the authority He carried. We
will look at the first small sub-section today, the first Teaching and Miracles
pairing. It starts with the teaching, 1:21-22, and is followed by three
miracles to prove the point, unclean spirit (23-28), fever (29-31), and the
many (32-34). So let’s dive in.
As
we read Mark, especially in this section of the book, we will find Jesus going
into the synagogue and teaching. This makes sense. He is a Jewish rabbi,
teacher. It makes sense that he would go where Jewish teachers teach, and
Jewish students gather, students of all ages. He generally goes as part of
their normal worship practices. It would be like saying today that a professor
went to the university to teach, or the master auto mechanic instructor went to
the garage, or the ski instructor went to the snow-covered slopes. Jesus going
to the synagogue makes perfect sense for his culture and his audience.
Jesus
goes to Capernaum, village of comfort. It was on the northwestern shore of the Sea
of Galilee, near where the Jordan River flows into it. It was a fairly
prosperous village. We don’t know why he chose this particular village, other
than its proximity to where he lives.
There
is one thing we need to gather from his teaching here and the three miracles
that Mark connects to this lesson: Jesus had authority. This is what the
listeners gathered from what he said and did. The three miracles are the proof.
I
have heard some advertisements on the radio lately for a
get-rich-and-and-stay-rich seminar. Of course I have heard of these seminars
for the last forty years. Real estate or a particular investment strategy is
usually the focus of these events. What I find amusing is the fact that they
didn’t really make their millions through those vehicles, but through the
seminar fees and books, DVDs, and other things sold at the seminars. That is
where the real money is. They got lucky, and now they make their money off
other people who hope they get lucky!
What
I notice from these people is the lack of lasting proof. If their money really
came from the scheme, why do they need to be out telling and selling? Are their
hearts so concerned about us that they have to share it with us out of the
goodness of their hearts, or because their boat payment is due!
Jesus
proves that what He says it authoritative in ways that people can see and
experience. When he healed these three people, weeks, months and years later
the proof was still there. The dozens, perhaps hundreds, would be able to
testify about what Jesus had done. He didn’t just speak some fancy words. He
backed up those words with proof.