So He went throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. Sermons I. ITS IMMEDIATE OCCASION. 1. To be found in connection with his work. It was incessant. Fresh claims upon his attention and compassion were continually being made. Only the day before "all the city" had been "gathered together at the door." The exercise of his healing power was a drain upon his emotional and spiritual nature, and the fatigue of the work, which lasted from morning to night, must have been a severe tax upon the delicate organization of the Saviour. He needed rest. 2. To be found in the excitement attaching to it. He was at the beginning of his ministry, and it was full of novelty and uncertainty. As the supernatural power of Christ displayed itself, the people began to broach ideas of a temporal sovereignty. A profound impression was produced upon the public mind, and vast crowds attended him wherever he moved. The corruption and depravity of the human mind, too, must have become increasingly manifest to him. The problem of salvation never could have seemed more distressing or difficult. And, in the midst of his occupation, the contrary currents of worldly thought and human ambition must have been felt by him. II. ITS ULTIMATE REASON. The circumstances of fatigue and excitement in themselves would not account for the anxiety displayed by Christ to secure opportunity for devotion; it is as associated with his unique personality and aim that they acquire significance. For it is only as arising from personal longing and necessity, that such a departure from the scene of his labours can be understood. We are not to suppose that it was done for an example; the whole proceeding would thereby be rendered too artificial and self-conscious. And yet the action itself was exemplary in the highest degree. Its value as a pattern for our imitation consists in its very absence of self-consciousness. We cannot help asking, "What was the place held by prayer in his spiritual life?" "How was the practice of devotion related to the inward needs-be of his nature?" It was not simply a reaction of overwrought feeling or an instinctive craving for emotional relief and variation. By his entire spiritual constitution he was intimately related to the Father. The filial bond was infinitely strong, tender, and intense. His true life was twofold - a giving forth of himself to man, and receiving from God; the latter was necessary to the efficiency of the former. He said, "I can of mine own self do nothing," and therefore he ever sought communion with his unseen Father: 1. For restoration of spiritual power. 2. To maintain the elevation of his feeling and purpose. 3. For comfort and encouragement. III. How IT WAS PREPARED FOR. There is a climax in the text; an impression is thereby conveyed of inward trouble, leading to painstaking effort, which results in final relief and comfort. 1. He sought the Father early. "Very early, in the midst of the night," is the literal force of the words. His first impulse toward heavenly communion was obeyed. The thoughts which had kept the night wakeful were not corrupted by the new associations of another day. Are the first impressions of our minds on awaking Divine or human? of heaven or of earth? Do we earnestly seek to know first of all God's will, and strive to realize his presence? He who so prepares for the work and intercourse of the day will not be overtaken or surprised by evil. Better lose a little sleep than the restful communion of the Father. 2. His departure was secret. There was no consulting with flesh and blood. There are inward promptings and voices concerning which no earthly advice should be asked. It is possible that "Simon and they that were with him" were not a little disconcerted and annoyed that they had to seek for him; but even their presence would have been a hindrance. The solemn yet fascinating individualism of true prayer is not realized as it might be. Secret prayer is the background of earnest and real common prayer. In this matter we have not only the example but the injunction of Christ (Matthew 6:6). 3. Not only the actual presence of men but human associations were avoided. "He departed into a desert place. Such a situation, as formerly the weird solitudes of the Quaritanian Desert, harmonized with his spiritual mood. Wide upland spaces, far withdrawn, brought him nearer to the Unseen and Eternal, afforded larger views, spiritual as well as physical, and favored the ideality and inwardness that are essential to a great spirit. The silence that is in the starry sky, (1) Opportunities for secret prayer will be prized and even created by devout minds. (2) If the purest and grandest moral Being the world has seen needed such communion with his Father, how much more such as we? (3) God must be sought diligently, and before all else, if he is to be sought effectually. (4) How difficult of access and realization is the oratory of the soul, where devotion may be free from earthliness, continuous and uninterrupted! ? M
And when they had found Him. While rejoicing in Divine solitude, the loneliness in which He left the suffering, toiling people was indescribably painful to them. A man born blind does not realize his deprivation, but if there is given him a brief vision of daylight how unutterable his sense of loss when it fades away again. So these people felt themselves deprived of the fresh interest and hopes with which they had been inspired when they lost the society and communion of Jesus. But the question was asked by all lips: "Where is He?" And most true is it today — be man's opinions what they may — there is no more universal experience of human kind, whether gentle or simple, scientific or ignorant, barbarian or bond or free, than the hunger for that fulness of life which is in Christ Jesus.(J. A. Picton, M. A.) What the disciples said in their wondering delight, shall one day be literally true — all men will be in search of the Saviour of the world. In the first instance the Saviour sought all men, and in the second all men will seek the Saviour. "We love Him because He first loved us."(J. Parker, D. D.) "All men seek for Thee." Yes, they are tired of their sectarian wranglings; they are wearied out with their ineffectual metaphysical analysis; they are sick of the poor results yielded up by material research; they have lost confidence in their own self-will; they prize no longer their self-conceit; they long to be brothers in the embrace of one common Father, and none can bring them together but Christ. "All men seek for thee." Even so, come, Lord Jesus.(J. A. Picton, M. A.) He had spoken to the people because He desired them to know; and again, He will retire from them, and have His heart set on their well-being as he retires. When you and I have heard the sermon, what remains for us to do? Is it to hear more, or to think about what we have heard? You can learn by hearing, but you can be confused by hearing too much; one sermon may obliterate the effect of the other. So Christ left the people to whom He had been so acceptable, that in the quietude of their homes they might think of that which they had both heard and seen.(J. Cymore Davies.) I. That this Christian evangelization was preceded by private devotion.II. That this Christian evangelization was accompanied by an earnest preaching of the truth. III. That this Christian evangelization made use of the already existing agencies of the Church. IV. That this Christian evangelization was just in its conception of work, in that it east the devil out of men. Lessons: 1. That evangelistic work requires and is worthy of the best talent that can be obtained. 2. That evangelistic work is ennobling to those who engage in it, as well as to those who are contemplated by it. 3. That evangelistic work has done much to cast the devil out of the masses of our large towns. (J. S. Exell, M. A.) From these words I commend to your notice —I. THE RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN YOUR OWN LABOURS, AND THE PERSONAL MINISTRY OF YOUR LORD AND SAVIOUR, AS PERFORMED IN THE FIELD OF HOME MISSIONS. 1. In the scene of your labours. The title of missionary denotes one sent forth, and especially belongs to one whose errand is to propagate religion. Christ was sent from God — "The great Apostle of our profession" (Hebrews 3:1). To bring the glad message to our earth from the far heavens, He emptied Himself of glory, etc. It was to an alien race that he ministered. His personal ministry was far more limited and national in its character than was His message. Whatever His intent, in narrowing the field of His toils as a preacher, the fact is evident that to the land of Canaan, or the bounds of His native country, His ministerial labours were confined, and Jesus Christ, while upon earth, was a Home Missionary. Now a work which occupied the greatest of preachers can never be unimportant, etc. 2. In the commission under which He acted, the message He bore, the manner in which He published it, and the mode in which His labours were sustained. II. THE CONSEQUENT DUTY OF THE CHURCH TO CONTINUE AND ABOUND IN THE LIKE GOOD WORK. Whether we look to the advantages which our nation presents for such labour, or to its peculiar necessities; to our duty as Christians, or our interests as men loving their country; to the general obligations of the Church, or our own personal and special privileges and responsibilities — on every hand are teeming incitements to energy and liberality, to perseverance and courageous devotedness. (W. R. Williamson, D. D.) People Andrew, Ephah, Isaiah, James, Jesus, John, Simon, Zabdi, ZebedeePlaces Capernaum, Galilee, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Judea, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Wilderness of JudeaTopics Cast, Casting, Demons, Devils, Driving, Evil, Expelling, Galilee, Preached, Preaching, Spirits, Synagogues, ThroughoutOutline 1. The office of John the Baptist.9. Jesus is baptized; 12. tempted; 14. he preaches; 16. calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John; 23. heals one that had a demon; 29. Peter's mother in law; 32. many diseased persons; 40. and cleanses the leper. Dictionary of Bible Themes Mark 1:39 4134 demons, exorcism Library What 'the Gospel' IsThe beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.--Mark i. 1 My purpose now is to point out some of the various connections in which the New Testament uses that familiar phrase, 'the gospel,' and briefly to gather some of the important thoughts which these suggest. Possibly the process may help to restore freshness to a word so well worn that it slips over our tongues almost unnoticed and excites little thought. The history of the word in the New Testament books is worth notice. It seldom occurs in those … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Christ's Touch The Strong Forerunner and the Stronger Son Mighty in Word and Deed Healing and Service A Parable in a Miracle A Composite Picture. The Way to the Kingdom The Repentance of Believers The Lord and the Leper Faith and Repentance Inseparable Answer to Mr. W's First Objection. The Fellowship of Prayer Healing a Demoniac in a Synagogue. Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement. The Way from Sin to Perfect Salvation. Jesus' Conception of Himself John the Baptist Links Mark 1:39 NIVMark 1:39 NLT Mark 1:39 ESV Mark 1:39 NASB Mark 1:39 KJV Mark 1:39 Bible Apps Mark 1:39 Parallel Mark 1:39 Biblia Paralela Mark 1:39 Chinese Bible Mark 1:39 French Bible Mark 1:39 German Bible Mark 1:39 Commentaries Bible Hub |