Journey with Jesus: Nuggets from the Gospel of Mark

Results or Relationship? (Mark 1:21-34 NIV)

BY REV. LISA MORRISON

With the internet, word travels fast. Too fast, it seems at times. We can get all kinds of news in real-time because of the advantages of technology. We can know that a bomb went off at a London Tube station or that Desmond Tutu passed away basically the moment these events occur. If we are in the area, we might even show up to see the effects of the bomb or pay our respects to a man who was a world changer.

In Mark 1:21-34, we see news spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee that Jesus, new on the scene, taught in the synagogue as one with authority, cast out an impure spirit from a man, and later that same day healed Peter’s mother-in-law from a potentially fatal fever.

These three things — teaching with authority, casting out an impure spirit, and healing a deadly fever — all occur on the Sabbath day when people are to be at home except for travel to the synagogue. So, how is it that news spread so fast that ‘all the sick and demon-possessed,’ and ‘the whole town has gathered at his door…that evening after sunset’? (vv. 32-33 NIV) They don’t have the internet to get the news in real-time. They don’t have a phone to call or group-text friends, family, and neighbors. Yet the news spreads like wildfire on a day that all is supposed to be still.

I’m sure we can imagine with such breaking news that the word got out even without advanced technology, and even though it was a day to be still. However, the thing to ponder is this: Mark tells us that all the sick and demonpossessed show up at the door. The all refers to the fact that the land is unclean. The people have drifted away from God, and through Jesus, restoration is beginning to occur.

One exorcism and one healing take place, and now, a continuous stream of people flows to Jesus. Why are they there? For their own personal healing. They want results. Who can blame them? If we or our loved ones were sick or demon-possessed, we, too, would show up at Jesus’ door wanting results.

And yes, Jesus can heal any sickness, disease, and even cast out demons. Jesus wants to do more, though. He wants these miracles to point to who He is. He is more than a healer. He is the Son of God, and as the Son of God, He wants a personal relationship with us. That is why He left heaven to come to earth. May we desire to enter into a relationship with Him rather than just seek results from Him.

Lisa Morrison is an ordained minister who has served as pastor and staff pastor in several positions in the local church, as well as in district ministerial and educational leadership positions. She has also served as an Adjunct Instructor in the Religion Department at various educational institutions of higher learning. She holds two master’s degrees and a post-graduate degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.