His Heart, My Life: Gospel of Mark
The “First” Miracles of Jesus: His Authority
Mark 1:22 – 45
Intro:
The last couple of months has seen the hyping up of various phenomena claimed as miraculous: the Jesus fishstick, the Virgin Mary grilled cheese sandwich, the Magnificat walleye catch. People are always wanting to discover some secret knowledge, some hidden power, some juicy miracle—anything but what is revealed and damning. It behooves us to remember the ancient adage, though, that all that glitters is not gold.
You can get a WWII-style 100% sheepskin shearling bomber jacket on eBay and “Buy It Now” for C$302, a big bargain, from its claimed original price of US$500. You can get WWII medals, combatants’ or volunteers’ crosses, and ribbons for a lot less—to go with the bomber jacket. But none of those can make you a flying ace.
Mark, in announcing the Good News of Jesus the Son of God emphasises the primacy of preaching and teaching. Like the person of the flying ace and not just a glamorous bemedalled bomber jacket, Jesus and His message are the real thing, not His miracles. The Good News must be proclaimed above all, not “miracled” into people, to effect changed lives. And so it is, that after establishing His credentials and credibility through baptism and desert temptation, Jesus picks up where John the Baptist, now imprisoned, leaves off, and He, then, proclaims the Good News of repentance and faith. With not a single miracle or exorcism, Jesus as Evangelist simply calls on Simon and Andrew, and James and John, and they leave their nets and follow Him.
21They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil[e] 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!” 26The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27The 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.” 28News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
29As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
32That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon possessed. 33The whole town gathered at the door, 34and 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.
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
35Very 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. 36Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else–to the nearby villages–so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
A Man With Leprosy
40A man with leprosy[f] came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
41Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
43Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44“See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
Interestingly, while disciples are made through Christ’s preaching and calling, none come to faith through His healing and exorcism. Mark, strangely to modern minds, seems to be directing our focus to Jesus and His message in spite of the miracles. Together with his “straightways” (Greek euthus), these healings and exorcisms quickly peter out toward the latter part of his Gospel, all this apparently in inverse proportion to the faith response.[1] While the Good News is authenticated with miracles, it is not ultimately proven, or even helped, by them. Jesus simply commands us to believe His Word, the Good News. As the one chosen and commended by the Father, and as the conquerer over human temptations, Jesus teaches and proclaims the Good News with authority.
I. Teaching with Authority: Jesus silences demoniacs in Capernaum. vv. 21 – 33
(Vocabulary: The word here is didaskalw, which means teaching, often systematically. The word for “preaching,” on the other hand, is khrussw, which denotes proclaiming or heralding, as at the head of a royal procession.)
(Geography: Capernaum synagogue and proximity to Peter’s house and Lake Galilee—historical authenticity amidst creative thematic development by the author)
a. Jesus’ teaching vs. that of the “teachers of the law” vv. 21 – 22
i. Testimony of evil spirits rejected, and spirits exorcised vv. 23 – 26
1. Jesus has continuing authority over evil spirits following His temptation.
2. Giving credibility to evil spirits would undermine His own work and words (esp. as some would later accuse Him of casting out demons by Beelzebul).
ii. Synagogue congregants hanker after the novelty of the sign rather than the Teacher and His message vv. 27 – 28
1. Jesus’ miracles and exorcisms were unannounced and unsolicited, unlike those of modern “miracle crusades.” Instead, Jesus emphasized the message of repentance and faith.
2. In terms of results, His miracles and exorcisms elicited curious wonder but little faith.
b. Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law of fever vv. 29 – 31
i. Jesus heals the town’s sick and possessed vv. 32 – 34
ii. Testimony of demoniacs all rejected v. 34
II. Preaching with Authority: Jesus preaches and exorcises throughout the Galilee. vv. 35 – 39
a. Jesus continues in Holy Spirit power dependent on prayer/faith, going out to solitary places vv. 29 – 37
(Explanation: The wilderness “carries a dual significance: At times it is a hostile and threatening atmosphere, at other times it is a place of preparation”[2])
i. Peter and companions “looked for” Him—literally, “hunted Him down”
ii. Their announcement implies that Jesus was wasting a great outreach opportunity! RWP: “It was a surprising decision for Jesus to leave the eager, excited throngs in Capernaum for the country town or village cities without walls or much importance.”
(Contrast: Jesus “prayed.” Prayer is not some mystical Ignatian meditation or self-edifying “spiritual formation” mantra. As perfect man, Jesus entrusts the conduct and success of His mission to the enabling power of the Father and the Spirit through prayer. He will not be sidetracked by the felt needs and demands of the people or the temptations of the evil spirits.)
(Contrast: Reinhard Bonnke’s Double Harvest Report DVD claims that “29.3+ million Christ in 3 years” through African miracle crusades and decision cards. Richard and Lindsey Roberts would press down on a stack of healing claims and elicit “points of contact” over the TV through “word of faith” healings on screen or mailed autographed prayer cloths. Dr. John Sung’s ministry was characterized by intense prayer for individuals, fearless proclamation of the Gospel, and unannounced healings after the service.)
b. Jesus announces His raison d'être: to proclaim personally the Good News vv. 38 – 39
i. “That is why I have come”—literally, “for therefore I came out”: came out both from heaven and from Capernaum
ii. The Good News must not be bottled up, localised.
iii. Exorcisms and signs accompany, but must not overshadow.
(Explanation: Authenticating place of miracles and signs not mandated for all time, esp. beyond the Apostolic Age. Contrary to the false teachings of some Pentecostalists and Charismatics,[3] there’s no need to repeat the dividing of the Red Sea, eating of manna, resilience of desert footwear, the virgin birth, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, Philip’s rapture, or Paul’s snake handling in every generation.)
III. Healing, “without Authority”: Jesus cannot/will not silence a cured leper and has to hang out in “lonely places.” vv. 40 – 45
(Explanation: The authority of Jesus over satanic testimony and popular pressure is here contrasted with the direct disobedience of a human being. Jesus does not now foist or force His authority onto anyone, although someday “every knee shall bow.” Having been cast out into the wilderness once already by the Spirit, He is again forced into lonely places through human disobedience and a steadfast refusal to succumb to the lure of popularity and fame. O how gently He woos us into His kingdom, and how inexcusable our disobedience and infidelity towards Him!)
a. Compassion of Jesus despite socio-religious uncleanness of leprosy vv. 40 – 42
b. Strong warning not to tell anyone vv. 43 – 45
i. Reason for “messianic secret”: “[Jesus’ strong warning not to tell, “strictly charged” (KJV), v. 43] is a strong word for the snorting of a horse and expresses powerful emotion as Jesus stood here face to face with leprosy, itself a symbol of sin and all its train of evils. The command to report to the priests was in accord with the Mosaic regulations and the prohibition against talking about it was to allay excitement and to avoid needless opposition to Christ.” RWP
ii. The disobedience of the cured leper results in crowds hankering after healing and not preaching, hence curtailing Jesus’ ministry in the towns and villages. Quips Robertson (RWP) rather drily, “Some preachers are not so disturbed by the onrush of crowds.”
Conclusion:
The “first” miracles of Mark pit the foolishness of preaching against spectacular signs or clever arguments. The miracles and wonders come as Jesus simply showed compassion along the way. He does not go out of the way to perform, nor does He withhold any where the need exists. If anything, these “first” miracles force Him from the familiar fishing capital of Capernaum to the tiny villages of Galilee and finally out into the desolate country! But there was no mistaking His mission, to proclaim the Gospel. Face full of determination and ready to lead the charge, the flying ace keeps his bomber jacket tucked under his arm rather than waving it over his head or loading it with ribbons and medals.
Because of who Jesus is, His intrinsic authority as Son of God, the Gospel is quite simply stated, or understated. It is proclaimed rather than negotiated or drummed into through shock of spectacle or pomp of pageantry. But the message is true both then and now: as Son of God, Jesus knocks and asks, “Have you repented from your sins and believed the Good News?” What is your problem today? Have you an evil spirit, a stubborn sin, a secret chronic pain, an embarrassing stigma? No problem for Him—if he wills, He can and does heal, cast out the demon, cleanse, lift up. Listen to Jesus; repent and believe the Gospel of God. Or will you keep coming back like the crowds of Capernaum, only to watch the show?
Or are you tempted to accept the approbation and aid of the unholy and the disobedient? Perhaps, you think, a little compromise now could do a whole lot of good later on, and what harm could come of it? Like the Son of God, say “no, thanks” to assistance from unholy quarters.
Give a man a fish … the Gospel is not about dishing out miraculous hushpuppies and stunning shortcuts but transforming our lives thoroughly through repentance and faith. The Gospel makes you a disciple, a fisher of men. But more importantly, it’s not about you; it’s about God and how each of us can get with His programme and under His dominion.
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[1] Miracles in chapters: 1. synagogue exorcism, Simon’s mother-in-law, many healings and exorcisms in Capernaum, further exorcisms in Galilee, leper; 2. paralytic; 3. paralysed hand, healings and exorcisms; 4. storm calmed; 5. Garasene demoniac, Jairus’ daughter, woman with issue; 6. few healed, 5,000 fed, walking on water, healings at Gennesaret; 7. Syrophenician woman, deaf-mute; 8. 4,000 fed, Bethsaida blind; 9. Transfiguration, possessed boy; 10. Bartimaeus; 11 – 15 none; 16. Resurrection
[2] B. Dale Ellenburg, “A Review Of Selected Narrative-Critical Conventions In Mark’s Use Of Miracle Material,”
JETS 38:2 (June 1995) pp. 175-6. The sea, by contrast, is “is a place of chaos and destruction as well as of instruction and fellowship” (p. 175), while the city of Jerusalem “represents ‘geopolitical space, an important type of setting concerning spatial areas of the earth that are defined by human-made boundaries of civic or governmental units” (p. 176).
[3] Jack Deere, a former Dallas Theological Seminary professor who left the biblical faith for the signs and wonders movement, would argue for the normalization of miracles, urging that the Bible does not explicitly put a freeze on them. His teachings have been exposed and refuted by David J. MacLeod, “Surprised by the Power of the Spirit,” EmJ 10:1 (Summer 2001) p. 115f., and Richard L. Mayhue, “Who Surprised Whom? The Holy Spirit or Jack Deere?” MSJ 5:2 (Fall 94) p. 123f., and “Alarmed by the Voice of Jack Deere,” MSJ 8:2 (Fall 97) p. 151f.