The Gospel is always good seed. But it doesn’t always fall on good ground. In the Parable of the Sower (a.k.a. the Parable of the Four Soils), Jesus explains four different reactions to His message: (1) Hard-Hearted Hearers, (2) Fairweather “Fans”, (3) Backburner “Believers”, and (4) Fruitful Followers
After the miraculous catch of fish, Jesus calls Peter and the others to (metaphorically) catch people — that they also may follow Christ. In response to the grace of Christ, let’s respond with faith in Christ. Since we’ve been caught by God’s amazing grace, let’s seek to catch others — with God’s amazing guidance.
Ever have to ask someone, “Did you hear what I just said?” Often, we know that they heard us, but they’re acting as if they didn’t. There’s a difference between hearing and listening. Hearing means audibly perceiving something with one’s ear. Listening means responding to what was heard with appropriate action. In light of all that He has said previously, at the end of the Sermon of the Mount, Jesus makes it clear that it is necessary not to just hear His words, but to do them. For there are essentially two ways to live upon hearing Christ’s words. The wise both hear and do — metaphorically building their house on the rock. The foolish hear but don’t — metaphorically building their house on sand. Those who listen to Christ can stand when the storms come; those who don’t can’t stand the rain. Will we listen to the LORD? Did we hear what Jesus just said?
We’re familiar with the concept of: “My House, My Rules”. The first step of true knowledge is that this world is God’s house; thus, we should follow His rules. The fear (i.e., reverence) of the LORD is the beginning knowledge, but fools despise godly wisdom and instruction. We must keep first things first.
After sunset — that is, after the Sabbath day officially ended — people in Capernaum brought to Jesus both the diseased and demon-possessed for healing and exorcism (respectively). These two different problems require two different treatments. Yet, they are no problem for the compassionate Great Physician.
After Simon told Jesus about his mother-in-law who was sick with a fever, Jesus raises her — healing her immediately. She gives proof of her full recovery by serving them (i.e., preparing dinner). In doing so, she also provides a model response to the grace of Jesus: faithful service. Far from suggesting inferiority, service is angelic and Christ-like. May our faithful service/ministry to Christ — in whatever capacity — demonstrate the proof of God’s gracious, healing touch in our lives.
After leaving the synagogue in Capernaum, Simon and the others tell Jesus about Simon’s mother-in-law who is sick with a fever. Fevers were often thought to be fires in one’s head that were sent from God – fires that only God could “extinguish”.
Immediately after leaving the Capernaum synagogue, Jesus, Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, and John go to Simon and Andrew’s house. In Mark, Jesus will often be in this house — the ruins of which may have been discovered in the 1960’s.
While teaching in the Capernaum synagogue on the Sabbath, Jesus is interrupted by a demon-possessed man. Jesus then rebukes the demon, commanding it to shut up and get out of the man. After its violent exit, people in the synagogue are not only amazed with Jesus authoritative words, but astonished by His authoritative works. He proclaims the inbreaking kingdom of God in both word and deed
In response to Jesus’ exorcism, which confirms the validity of His teaching about the inbreaking kingdom of God, the people in the Capernuam synagogue are astonished. Some may be amazed, others may be alarmed/afraid. In Mark, when Jesus preaches and teaches, He provokes a range of reactions. And, He backs up His authoritative words with authoritative works. The fame of Jesus spreads. But this is not to be equated with genuine faith in Jesus.
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