Mark 1:29-31 Jesus, The Great Victor
One of the first Bible verses I learned as a child is found in Psalm 122. Doubtless many of you know it as well. "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord." Like the Psalmist, I too am glad to be in the house of the Lord on this Sabbath day. And I am especially thankful for the opportunity to testify of my faith in Jesus, my Lord and Savior.
This Sunday has been designated as Victory Sunday. As I reflected on the title, Victory Sunday, I thought of that old familiar hymn, which proclaims there is no greater victory than victory in Jesus. I was also reminded of how the Bible gives testimony to the fact that Jesus Christ is the Great Victor. The Apostle Paul said of our Lord that, "God has highly exalted Him, and has given Him a name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9). Peter declared, "There is no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). John the beloved disciple called Jesus "the Lord of lords and the King of kings" (Revelation 17:14). Even the angels of heaven were on hand to herald His birth (see Luke 2:9-14).
Yes, Jesus is the Great Victor, and this morning I would like to look at the story of the miraculous healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. It is the story of a grand victory, the story of a miracle, a miracle that took place in Capernaum, a town in Galilee, near the boyhood home of Jesus. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all record this majestic event.
In the first chapter of Mark’s gospel we are told that Jesus called for Peter and his brother Andrew to come and follow Him. Shortly thereafter He called James and his brother John to be His disciples as well. These new disciples then journeyed to Capernaum with Jesus, where on the Sabbath day they entered into the synagogue.
I would like to continue with this story by reading from Mark Chapter 1,verses 29-31. "And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell Him of her. And He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them."
Simon-Peter’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. Luke in his account of this story says she was taken with a great fever (Luke 4:38). The battle between life and death had commenced, and so Jesus was summonsed to engage in this mighty struggle. It has been said that we need not fear should the black horse of death come to our door, if its rider be Jesus. In other words, for the Christian there is no reason to fear death. The Apostle Paul made this point as well noting that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (II Corinthians 5:8). Still we pray for healings and for miracles to take place on this earth. Yet as we all know, sometimes the miracle we pray for does not occur on the earthly side of the veil. Instead the victory comes when our loved one is ushered into the eternal presence of the Lord.
A great trial had come to the house of Peter and Andrew, but a great blessing was about to manifest itself, for Jesus had come to the house as well.
Here we have a woman who was so sick she was unable to rise from her bed. As you think about this lady, is there someone you know who is facing a great trial? Do you have a loved one, a friend, an acquaintance, who is suffering from a great fever and is unable to rise? Do you know someone who needs your help? Who is it that comes to your mind this morning?
Romans 15:4 tells us that the things written in Scripture long ago were written for our learning, that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we might have reason to hope. With this verse in mind, what can we learn from this story? Let us begin by observing the actions of the disciples.
First, consider the word “Invitation”.
Notice that Peter and Andrew invited Jesus to come into their house, for that is where the suffering one resided. Though Jesus no longer physically walks upon the earth, He is here in spirit, and through our prayers we can speed our invitation to Him requesting His presence. It is a good thing to invite the Savior to come and visit the needy. Think about it, you may be the only person making such a request for that individual. Making the request for the Lord to come is far better than simply waiting and hoping that your friend or loved one will eventually go to the Lord; Your friend may never do it on his own.
By faith utter your prayer. Come Lord Jesus and let my friend know that you are present. How important that is, for the very presence of Jesus brings hope and peace to the situation no matter how dark or how hopeless things may appear.
On more than one occasion upon suddenly appearing, Jesus spoke to dispel fear (see Matthew 14:27; Luke 24:36). Scripture also reminds us that Jesus will always be with us. (see Matthew 28:20; John 6:37 & Hebrews 13:5).
This is why the Christian need not fear. He is always with us.
But the disciples did not stop with the invitation.
Secondly consider the word “Inform”.
Notice that the disciples also told Jesus about the woman’s condition. Who is the person that is in your thoughts this morning? Have you told the Great Physician about that person’s condition?
Time and again we find in the Gospels people approaching Jesus to tell Him the condition of the one they love. Perhaps you may recall the words of the Centurion who pleaded for Jesus to come and heal his servant who lay paralyzed and suffered great pain (Matthew 8:6).
Recall the father who cried out to Jesus on behalf of his son who was possessed by an unclean spirit. This spirit often threw the boy to the ground, and even cast him into fire or into the water in an effort to destroy him (Mark 9:20-22). This father’s great love and desperation caused him to be very specific in describing his son’s condition. Such a prayer is a lot different than just saying, God bless everybody, everywhere.
The disciples invited and informed, but they did not stop there.
Thirdly consider the word “Implore”.
In Luke’s account, we are told that the disciples went beyond just describing the woman’s condition. They implored Jesus to heal her (Luke 4:38). To invite and to inform is to do well, but to plead for mercy and grace on behalf of the afflicted one is to do better.
Throughout the gospels we find people crying out for mercy. On one such occasion, a mother besought Jesus that He might have mercy upon her cruelly tormented daughter (Matthew 15:22).
How often we do read that our Lord was moved with compassion. There is a beautiful passage of scripture in Hebrews 4:16 that speaks of the grace and mercy that is available to us because of what Christ has done on our behalf. The passage instructs us to come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
The disciples invited, they informed, and they pleaded with Jesus. But these are not magical words, or some magical pattern that we can use to get our prayers answered. Prayers are not answered according to our dictates. God is still in control. However the Bible commands us to pray one for another (James 5:16). And when we pray and touch the hand of God, power is released that otherwise would not be forthcoming.
Fourthly consider the word “Impossible”.
At this point the disciples had done all they could possibly do. They could do no more. But, what is impossible with man is possible with God (Matthew 19:26). Only Jesus could make the fever disappear. And so the disciples stood aside and watched.
And so it is with us. There comes a time when all we can do is stand aside and watch, not only with our eyes, but also with our spirit as God speaks to our heart in a still, small voice.
The Old Testament king, Jehoshaphat, found himself in this situation when the armies of his enemies surrounded him. He cried out to God that he was powerless against the great enemy that was arrayed against him. But at the same time Jehoshaphat confessed that , the eyes of the people were turned toward God. And as they looked to God, He unfolded a miracle before their very eyes (II Chronicles 20:1-27).
II. Well, how did Jesus respond?
He entered the room of the suffering woman, and hope entered with Him. He saw her condition and knew perfectly how to supply her need. He stretched forth His hands and touched her, and through those hands flowed the power of healing and restoration.
III. And how did the woman respond?
She immediately rose up and ministered to Jesus and the disciples.
IV. And how should we respond?
Like the woman, let all whom Jesus has touched rise up and serve Him, and serve others.
Jesus passed by many people as He walked about this earth, but not all asked for his help. Of those who asked however, none were ever refused.
