Office of Church Relations

Not Rude Just Focused

“Simon and his companions hunted for him [Jesus].  When they found him, they said to him, “everyone is searching for you.”  He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns…”  (Mark 1:36-38) 

At first glance, one may think that Jesus is being a bit rude in this week’s Gospel reading.  As you just read, people wanted an audience with Jesus, some wanted to be healed by Jesus, but Jesus was ready to move on to the next village, to proclaim his message there. 

So what is going on here?  Well, even though we are only dealing with ten verses in Mark’s gospel a lot is happening in these verses.  Let’s break them down and see what Mark is trying to convey to his readers and to us. 

Verses 29-31:  We have problems right off the bat, Mark tells us that Jesus was in the synagogue because it was the Sabbath.  That being so, Jesus violates the Sabbath rules by “working” in that he has already cast out a demon (Mark 1:23ff.) and now he will cure Peter’s mother-in-law. 

As to the healing itself, my father-in law, God rest his soul, always said that this healing was the greatest testimony to Peter’s love and devotion to Jesus.  Who else would follow Jesus after he had healed one’s mother in law! 

All kidding aside, it is probably no small coincidence that Jesus first healing miracle is to heal a woman.  Already Jesus is tearing down the barriers of gender which will play an important part in his ministry and will also bring the suspicion and wrath of the religious leaders. 

Finally, notice that as soon as she is healed Peter’s mother-in-law begins to serve.  While this could be simply a reflection of the custom of the time, that would expect the female head of the house to show hospitality toward guests, it could also be an example of how God serves the disciple by healing the disciples in order that the disciple might serve in return. 

Verses 32-34:  “That evening, at sundown” means the Sabbath is now over (Sabbaths, you will recall, go from sundown to sundown).  Now, the whole city knows of what happened in the synagogue and in Peter’s house.  They begin to bring all who are sick or possessed with demons.  

Jesus cured “many who were sick” and casts out “many demons.”  This is a sign of God’s reign breaking into the world.  It is a sign of the new reality Jesus is bringing into the world.  

However, note that Jesus will not let the demons speak “because they knew him.”  This is something Mark does often in his gospel.  Mark has Jesus telling people not to tell others either what he has done or that they recognize Jesus as coming from God.  Scholars and theologians call this the “messianic secret”.  Books have been written about it, suffice to say that Jesus did this because he knew what kind of Savior he had to be and it wasn’t just a miracle worker or one who could cast out demons.  Here’s why…. 

Verses 35-39:  Jesus was probably exhausted by the previous day’s activities and so he rises early in the morning to pray.  Oh, that it would be that simple!  Instead Mark tells us that Jesus went out to a “deserted” place.  The last time Jesus went out to a “deserted” place, he was tempted by Satan at the end of his forty days there.  The “deserted” place is a place of temptation, of wrestling with Jesus’ call and vocation.   

That was probably true here.  Would Jesus go back to town to heal all those who were suffering?  Would he risk being labeled a wonder worker?  Or would he stick with the plan to proclaim the good news and make his way to the cross? 

At that moment Jesus’ newly chosen disciples come out with the news that everyone is searching for Jesus, that there are more to be healed.  It is a temptation, but in prayer Jesus has made up his mind.  Jesus will stay the course that is God’s plan.   

Jesus is not being rude, he is just focused on what needs to be done and so he makes his decision to move on to the next town so that they might hear the good news.  However, as noted by Mark in our concluding verse, Jesus not only proclaimed the gospel, he continued to live the good news by healing and cast out demons. 

Link to the First Reading

The first reading is a testimony to God’s sovereignty and steadfastness.  It is God who created all things, God rules over all the earth, God has no equal, God never tires and God gives strength to God’s people though they must sometimes wait upon the Lord. 

This is the God whom we serve.  This is the loving God who in Jesus heals us.  This is the God who in our brokenness gives us strength and hope.  This is the God we bear witness too. 

Link to the Second Reading

This is one of Paul’s great statements about Christian liberty.  Martin Luther once said, “A Christian is perfectly free, subject to none.  A Christian is a dutiful subject of all, subject to all.”  Those statements seem contradictory but they are not.  It is a paradox and both are true. 

Paul begins this section by stating that he proclaims the Gospel because he has been commissioned by God to do so.  He doesn’t proclaim in order to boast or seek earthly rewards.  Paul makes the Gospel available to all free of charge so that all might know Christ’s love. 

Paul then describes how he does this.  Even though he is free, he becomes a slave to all.  Even though he is now a Christian, he becomes a Jew in order to preach to Jews.  To those who are under the law (here meaning Jewish law), he becomes like one under the law though he knows he is free from the law.  And, well, you get the picture.   

The point is that Paul is focused in order to proclaim the Gospel to all people.  The love of God in Christ compels him to preach to all people regardless of who they are.  This he must do to fulfill the law of Christ which is love. 

Questions for Discussion

1. When you read the Gospel text, did you notice that Jesus put off those who wanted to see him in order to move on to the next town? If so, how did it make you feel? Did you feel Jesus was being rude?

2. Both Jesus and Paul are focused on the mission and proclamation. How focused is your faith community on its proclamation and mission?

3. Isaiah 40:31 is one of the most beloved passages in Isaiah. How do these words make you feel? Do they give you hope?

4. How do you feel about Paul’s words that he became all things to all people so that he might proclaim the gospel and announce to them their salvation in Jesus? Is this a good idea? Does your faith community practice this kind of proclamation?

5. Do you feel commissioned to proclaim the good news? In what ways? Is it a joyful thing, a scary thing or both?