Epiphany 5: Gospel, Mark 1:29-39                           

Mark 1:29-39

True need and genuine opportunity always combine for a show of interest. No matter what the subject is. And in our gospel reading for this Sunday we find a plethora of interest in the carpenter from Nazareth. This is early in our Lord’s ministry, but miraculous power seems to draw interest whether it’s the genuine article from the hands of our Lord, or just the tricks of hucksters who use our Lord’s name in our day and age. Both will draw a crowd, but Jesus as the authoritative teacher of last week’s gospel is Jesus the Creator this week. Hucksters don’t have either credential.

It’s the close of the Sabbath and after the grace of God flows to the mother-in-law of Peter in the healing of a fever, the crowds with plenty of their own ills begin their pursuit. Jesus is Author of Life and in His authority lie healing and sustaining as well. “That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered at the door” (Mark 1:32-33). I think Mark uses “the whole city” as a figure suggesting that Capernaum had come under the “magic” of the great teacher. Not every person, certainly, but a crowd nonetheless.

While the Sabbath may have limited the crowds for a short while, when the sun set that day, the great needs of Capernaum came to the feet of the Savior. Is there a better place to bring them? I write this as a Lord’s Day comes to a close. Are you carrying needs and burdens? Learn the lesson and bring them to Jesus. He is able to meet those needs. We have it on good authority.