What Jesus Did

Then Jesus sent [the man whose leprosy he had cured] on his way with a stern warning: "Don't tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed."

—Mark 1:43-44 NLT

Key Thought


"Take along the offering required in the law of Moses." Two principles are at work here. First, the man cleansed...

 

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. "If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean," he said.
Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," he said. "Be healed!" Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.


—Mark 1:40-42 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus was "moved with compassion." Not only did he feel compassionately toward the man with leprosy, but he also was moved to act on his...

 

So [Jesus] traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.

—Mark 1:39 NLT

Key Thought


In the previous verses, Jesus committed to his mission to preach in the villages and cities. In today's verse, he went all over Galilee sharing the message of the Kingdom. He went to the people in the synagogues and continued his powerful mastery over demons. He had a plan to fulfill his God-ordained purpose. He executed this plan, not just...

 

Amazement gripped the audience [when Jesus cast the evil spirit out], and they began to discuss what had happened. "What sort of new teaching is this?" they asked excitedly. "It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!" The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee.

—Mark 1:27-28 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus has authority. Not just rank so he can give orders. Not just power so he can obliterate his enemies. No, Jesus has true...

 

When [the disciples] found [Jesus], they said, "Everyone is looking for you."
But Jesus replied, "We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came." So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.


—Mark 1:37-39 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus came with a mission to accomplish. Knowing our mission in life helps us clarify our daily commitments and center our efforts on the things God has...

 

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, "Everyone is looking for you."

—Mark 1:35-37 NLT

Key Thought


We need quiet time with God, especially so when ministry involves working with people. In the previous verses in Mark 1, Jesus has been highly involved in people-intensive ministry as he taught, preached, healed, and cast out demons. This...

 

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.

—Mark 1:35 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus had a regular, disciplined time to be alone with his Father each day. His quiet time with his Father was intentional; it was a priority he built into his day, and it required his effort — effort to wake up early before everyone else, and effort to go out away from everyone else so he could talk with the Father by himself. How intentional is your...

 

After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew's home. Now Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.

—Mark 1:29-31 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus left no doubt in his power over illness; he saw the illness and cured it. It was gone in an instant. With the touch of...

 

So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.

—Mark 1:34 NLT

Key Thought


Jesus' power was not limited. As the Son of God, he had power over all different kinds of diseases, and he had power over all different kinds of demons. The demons knew who Jesus was, so he wouldn't let them speak. He would reveal his identity at the appropriate time, not let his...

 

That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. The whole town gathered at the door to watch.

—Mark 1:32-33 NLT

Key Thought


When people saw the power of Jesus to change a person's life, they were drawn to him. As believers whose lives have been touched by Jesus, the power of Jesus in our lives is just as powerful. People can be drawn to the grace of our Lord when they see his power at work transforming us. He asks us to be ready to...