Walking with Jesus

Love in Action

Mark 1:16 - 34

Calling the first disciples the ‘Rabbi’ begins his itinerant ministry and disciple training

Galilee was not a small, backwater

region. According to the ancient

Jewish historian Josephus, Galilee

was an area of about 60 by 30 miles

and had 204 villages, each with at

least 15,000 people. This means there

were more than 3 million people in the

extended region.

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his

brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were

fishermen.

He saw them –

He had met them before.

Disciples’ qualities needed:-

Workers ! & brothers

What were their theological qualifications ?

They knew the bible !

They were using

a Cast net

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of

men." At once they left their nets and followed him.

Jesus’ Powerful call

- to HIMSELF

Same job but different fish

Note their willing responseto this exciting challenge

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee

and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets.

In the same area,

2 more brothers who would have known each other

These are a different kind of net (for deeper water) They are getting ready for evening fishing

Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in

the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus’ magnetism

The Family business was doing well to have hired men too.

Love in Action 1 Jesus’ call for faithful followers

A small committed team of disciplesto be trained

They went to Capernaum,

They went to Capernaum,

This was ‘Home’ base.

It was a customs station, and the quarters of a detachment of

Roman soldiers. It was the scene of many striking incidents

in the gospel account.

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus

went into the synagogue and began to teach.

All in a day’s ‘work’

Jesus observes the 4th Commandment.

The Teacher ! Explaining and applying scriptures

The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them

as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law (scribes).

What was the difference ?

A scribe at work

Love in Action 2Setting a man free from the power of evil

Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil

spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?

Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One

of God!"

Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil

spirit cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?

Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One

of God!"

A man ….. in trouble.

How did he become possessed?

How did he get into the synagogue ?

A demon …..

What are demons ? (its cover

exposed)

It recognizes Jesus

It feels threatened by JesusIt tries to sabotage Jesus’ work

"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" The evil spirit

shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

Jesus has greater power and authority

It has to obey.

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What

is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders

to evil spirits and they obey him.“

This amazing man!

Words + Action

News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Jesus is getting their attention

As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and

John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon`s mother-in-law

was in bed with a fever,

fishermen’s families :- Interesting accommodation

The Sabbath afternoon

Had they already mentioned about her to Jesus?

Love in Action 3Power over sickness

Simon`s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told

Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her

up. The fever left her.

Jesus was willing and able to help

It looks so easy !

The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

Ready to serve – doing what she was good at

News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

………………………….

That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick

and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door,

after sunset the Sabbath was over

– what do you do when you are desperate?

Sick and demonized ? Why were there so many cases?

The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many

who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons,

So much activity with

His Ministry to individuals

We see Jesus’ direct power “He” healed, “He” drove out

The disciples were observing

– they were going to have to do this later !

but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who

he was.

No witness wanted from the demons

but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who

he was.

but not what the people

were expecting

He isn’t ‘only’ our Saviour

He is our example because he wants to use us too

to show his love in action

Come, follow me