The story of Simon's mother-in-law's healing in Mark 1 highlights the purposeful nature of Jesus' ministry. When Jesus arrived at Simon's house and learned of her sickness, he immediately healed her, and she began to serve Jesus and his disciples. This healing had a specific purpose.
“Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.”
Mark 1:29-31 NKJV
Later in the chapter, Jesus heals a leper and instructs him not to tell anyone but to show himself to the priest as a testimony to them. This demonstrates that there is a specific time and audience for sharing testimonies.
“and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” Mark 1:44 NKJV
However, when the leper failed to follow Jesus' instructions, it caused Jesus to be unable to enter the city openly to preach, and he could only then preach in deserted places.
“However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction."Mark 1:45 NKJV
It is clear that His main purpose is to preach as Jesus said in, “But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” Mark 1:38 NKJV
Jesus' ministry was purposeful and intentional. It was until John the Baptist was imprisoned before he began preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God in Galilee.
“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15 NKJV
He also did not allow demons to speak about him because it was not yet time to reveal his true identity because it was not yet time to be revealed.
“Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.”
Mark 1:34 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/mrk.1.34.NKJV
Overall, the whole verses in Mark 1 reminds us that God has a specific purpose and timing for everything he does. As we follow Jesus, we must be mindful of his timing and purpose in our lives. We wait for His purposefull goodness.
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