Sherry and I read the Bible before we go to bed. One night this week we read Mark, chapter 5. The gospel of Mark shows Jesus as a servant. He gives his all to save each individual he meets. The price of a soul is beyond earthly value.
I was recently delivered from the hand of my enemy, the Devil, and I would like to tell you about it.
Before we enter Capernaum, let’s consider how this town had become the chosen base of operations for Jesus after He was driven from Nazareth by religious officials there (Luke 4:16, 28–30).
Please read this last chapter from James’ letter all the way through. It is from the Lamsa translation of the Aramaic and has good insight for our lives.
Let’s take up from where we left off last time with the Pharisees’ reaction to Jesus healing the man with the withered hand.
Matthew 12:14; Mark 3:6; Luke 6:10 (Matthew and Mark) [NKJV]
Then the Pharisees went out, and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him. But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus, how they might destroy Him.
Sherry and I have been thinking a lot about healing lately. Several friends and family have a need for restored health and to overcome physical attacks. We too, are faced with such challenges as we grow older. What is God’s solution to these important needs?
Still in Galilee a week later (or possibly two), we follow Jesus into the synagogue on a Sabbath. Let’s watch how this unfolds.
I’ve always loved being in the sun. Growing up in rural Missouri, summers were full of sun-filled fields and forests, bright with flowers. Living in Australia and California, the sunrises and sunsets near the ocean filled me with strength and peace. God invented the sun to show us that each new day starts fresh with His blessings. And the greatest blessing of all time, is that God so loved us that He sent His only Son to redeem and save us. We have eternal life through Jesus Christ, God’s son.
When we were last with Jesus, he could no more openly enter into the city where a leper had been healed. Even though he stayed out in desert places, multitudes still came to him for healing and deliverance, so he had to withdraw even further into the wilderness. Let’s follow him from there to his regular dwelling place, the city of Capernaum.
After the marvelous outpouring of the Word of God in the Sermon on the Mount, the great power of God was energized to heal and deliver many. Again, we follow Jesus, this time to witness the healing of a leper in three of the gospel records. (The color of the words in the scripture indicates the information that is unique to that gospel: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The words in boldface give information that is recorded in all three gospels.) Let’s go!