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 servants all - The entourage grows as we enter
today’s lesson: Jesus is followed by Simon and Andrew and James and John and maybe
the exorcised guy and us. The lesson opens inside the home of Simon and Andrew. The
operative word of Jesus’ ministry in Mark-servant, to serve, service-is carefully
woven into the narrative as a response to Jesus’ care: the fever left her and she
began to wait on them (v 31).
one 2 many - The focus changes in verses 32-34 from one to many (All
the people of the town gathered in the front of the house.) This description is more than
a mere summary statement, for we learn that Jesus continues to serve people with healing
and wholeness, but also maintains his insistence to keep his identity a secret (He would
not let the demons say anything, because they knew who he was). Clearly, the writer wants
us to take in the phenomenal renown that has resulted from his service to people, yet
downplayed by Jesus himself.
lesson in prayer? - Our final paragraph is one that at first blush
might seem a teaching on devotional prayer-just as Jesus sought a quiet place for morning
prayer, so should his followers. Could be that. But what if the recent popularity of Jesus
tempted Jesus to make Capernaum his HQs and to continue his ministry there under the big
tent? Prayer would then be more an urgent struggle to discern God’s will and next
step. (Not unlike what Paul would later experience; Acts 16:6-10.) In the end,
prayer-interrupted, Jesus decides against his disciples insistence to stay in Capernaum
and takes his ministry on the road.
 [1]
As a child, were you sickly or robust?
- What is your solitary place? How do get
away and be with God?
- What insight do you see in these stories about Jesus and the kingdom?
 A sermon
for this Sunday could weave the epistle and gospel lesson together into a blend of
traveling, entering culture, identifying with, and serving others.
Several excellent resources may already be on your shelves: The Celtic Way of
Evangelism, Church for the Unchurched, and Richard Neibuhr’s Christ and Culture. All
are excellent resources in thinking about engaging culture with the gospel.
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[1] Serendipity Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Co., 1998), page 354.
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