St. Mark 1: 29 – 39

round about Galilee.

29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.

30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.

31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.

34 And 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.

35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.

37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.

38 And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

39 And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

We are so modern, I’m certain that when we read about the travels Jesus made to spread the Gospel, we forget this was all on foot. We read in the verses above that Jesus healed folks well into the night – what we don’t read is that He then slept a few short hours, walked to where He prayed, and then advised the twelve they’d be walking to the next town. No Starbucks or Micky D’s – they depended on the goodwill and donations of the people they met in the various towns and cities. No Motel 6 ‘keeping the light on’ – roughing it on the road in sleeping rags (I don’t think they had sleeping bags) – exposed to the elements and the night critters. Maybe sometimes they were invited to use a barn or something but I suspect those opportunities were few and far between.

We are so spoiled; we have no real appreciation for the ‘easiness’ of our times. It seems to us it’s always been this way. But it wasn’t. Do we use our advantages to the best advantage? I wonder. I also wonder how many of us would have been like the people of Jesus’ time, the ones who followed Him from city to town to village because they couldn’t get enough of His message. I wonder indeed.

St. Mark 1:29-39

Dec. 1, 2021

And 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.

Verse 37 – to me, this is a verse that applies to Advent. “… all men seek for thee.” Like three Wise men who came from afar. They had followed a star in the heavens that foretold the birth of the King of Jews – you know the beloved story; gold, frankincense, myrrh. Not birthday gifts and not the first Christmas gifts but gifts for a King.

The Wise men could not have known, of course, that those gifts would be shadows of the Baby’s life – gold to support the trip to Egypt which saved the Baby from the slaughter of the innocents. Frankincense – the sweet, wholesome scent reminiscent of the yearly duty of burning incense in the Temple. And myrrh – a scented oil for burial.

All men seek thee. Even today. There’s a very famous psychologist who today is also seeking Him. We pray for his journey to belief. I have a friend in another country who is slowly starting his search for Him. Men and women still seek Him. We are blessed to know Him and pray with great hope and joy for the seekers because we know what they will find.