Mark 1:21-4121And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. 22And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. 23And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. 25And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. 26And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. 28And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. 29And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. 31And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them. 32And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. 33And all the city was gathered together at the door. 34And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him. 35And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. 36And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. 37And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. 38And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. 39And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. 40And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 41And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. (Mark 1:21‑41)
“AND THEY went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught.” One of the outstanding characteristics of the Lord’s work as the Servant throughout Mark’s gospel is found in the expressions “immediately,” “forthwith,” and “straightway.” This is appropriate to that Servant who ever had His Father’s will before Him and did not delay one unnecessary moment in accomplishing it.
So, in the very first day’s ministry detailed here (verses 21 Through 34) we find Him “straightway” proceeding with what is before Him. The Lord well knew how brief His time here was to be and immediately undertook all that was in His pathway. We see, too, that He gave no thought to His own comforts or conserving of energy, but often find Him weary from His labors, yet rising from rest to further minister to the needs of others. His invitation is “Come unto Me... and rest” but He Himself had nowhere to lay His head.
Are these not all wonderful principles for us who know the Lord to follow? First to ask: “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?"; then to waste no time in doing it; and finally to disregard discomforts or anything that would hold us back. But we can only so act when in full dependence on God for guidance and strength.
It is vitally important to remember, too, that service for Him, no matter how impressive, will never bring us salvation. We are not saved by works and can never be the Lord’s true servants until we have heard His voice and accepted Him as our own personal Saviour.
If any reader has not yet come to his need as a sinner and found Christ as his personal Sacrifice for sins, let him not wait one precious moment longer. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Although Jesus had labored until long after sunset, He rises up “a great while before day” the following morning, that He might have a quiet time in prayer. That blessed One was here as a Servant and would not undertake His service without full dependence on the Father. If it touches our hearts to think of Him going so early to that solitary place, then may its effect be to produce a similar quiet resorting to prayer for every plan we have bore us.
When the disciples find Him, after they arise at a later hour, He informs them of the universal character of His work and together with them, undertakes a service of love throughout all Galilee.
“And there came a leper to Him, beseeching Him, and kneeling down to Him, and saying unto Him, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.” The leper is once more a type of man in his sins — incurable and helpless in himself. But there is a saving place both for the leper and the sinner at the feet of Jesus, where in simple, trusting faith the whole matter is expressed to Him. The same compassionate heart toward the leper is today expressed to every sinner in the world who, in awareness of his need, comes in the same simple faith and puts his trust in the saving power of that precious blood, shed for the remission of sins. Have you too proved the Lord’s gracious compassion and like the leper, rejoiced to hear His reply: “I will; be thou clean"?
ML-04/28/1963