Today you should read: Mark 1:21-45
In the words of April Pilcher, “A lil’ overview of Mark 1:21-45 to get your morning started. This is so fresh it could replace your morning cup of coffee.”
Mark 1:21-28……..Jesus drives out an evil spirit!
Mark 1:29-34……..Jesus heals many who are sick!
Mark 1:35-39……..Jesus prays and prepares to preach!
Mark 1:39-45……..Jesus heals a man with leprosy!
Now think of the following:
Miracle leading to deliverance from…
1) Healing from an evil spirit—the filth of sin
2) Healing of Simon’s mother-in-law—the restlessness of sin
3) Healing of a leper—the loathsomeness of sin
Jesus’ miraculous healing power shows His ability to set men and woman free from the bondage of sin and displays His amazing love for those who were considered to be despicable.
A few lessons to learn from our friends with demons and leprosy:
Demon dude:
1) Jesus’ ministry caused an outburst of demonic activity.
2) Jesus’ power over the demons foreshadows His eventual triumph over our enemy, Satan.
3) Wherever God is at work, Satan will be opposing it. All who serve the Lord can expect the enemy’s opposition (1 Peter 5:8).
Leper’s prayer:
1) Earnest and desperate (“imploring Him”)
2) Reverent (“kneeling down to Him”)
3) Humble and submissive (“if you are willing”)
4) Believing (“You can”)
5) Acknowledged need (“make me clean”)
6) Specific (“make me clean”)
7) Personal (“make me clean”)
8.) Brief (five words in the original)
Because of this prayer, Jesus had compassion on the leper!
Questions for Reflection:
1) What kind of people do I hang out with? Are they the same type of people Jesus would hang out with or are they people that I just get along best with – people that talk like me, think like me, act like me? Do I spend time with people who have major needs – like the need of a Savior? This passage was convicting to me because I found myself thinking about who I spend my time with and if I truly have the same compassion my Savior does for people.
2) Do I pray like the leper?
3) Do I love people the way Christ loved people? Do I love people where they are at without judging or condemning them for the purpose of showing them the compassion Christ? Am I scared to make friends with people who have no desire for Jesus (in hopes of showing them the love of Jesus)?
Thank goodness I have a Savior who showed compassion to a person who made baseball an idol, who valued a social life above a relationship with Jesus, who was rebellious against his parents, who valued the praise of man rather than the praise of God, who played the “church game” for the majority of his teenage years, and who made decisions based on what he wanted rather than God’s Word (a.k.a. me)!
Posted by: Zach Monroe
JumpstartCPC.com 