334. MIRACLES OF HEALING AT CAPERNAUM
"And Jesus moved with compassion, put forth his hand ..."
Capernaum became the headquarters of Jesus' Early Galilean Ministry. It was the home town of the most prominent of his disciples, Peter, Andrew, James and John, all of whom were fishermen. Jesus' fame began to spread abroad after he healed the demoniac in the synagogue in Capernaum. People were impressed, not only with the power of his miracles but also with the authority of his teaching. As a result vast multitudes came to him from "all the region round about Galilee".
Our aim in this lesson is to contemplate Jesus' popularity, dedica tion and compassion, as well as his authority and power.
Mark 1:29-45; 2:1-12
HEALING AT THE HOUSE IN CAPERNAUM (Mk. 1:29-34).
After the miracle in the synagogue, Jesus went immediately to the home of Peter where he lived with his brother Andrew, his wife and mother-in-law. They were confronted with sickness € Peter's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. The disciples were learning to look to Jesus for help and full of expectation, "they tell him of her"; he who could cleanse a demoniac could surely revive their own dear friend. He could speak and disease was vanquished! In this incident and the scenes which followed that evening, they were to learn that as well as being ALL powerful, he was FULL of compassion. As the Lord took the hand of Peter's mother-in-law, he identified himself with the af flicted woman who lay before him. His touch would have imparted confidence to her. Jesus never divorced himself from the feelings of those with whom he dealt. Truly he "bare our sicknesses" (Isa. 53:4; Matt. 8:17). Jesus "lifted her up", typifying the raising up of many who would place their confidence in him. He it is who will ultimately bring those related to him forth from the grave when he returns from heaven at his second advent (cp. Psa. 37:34; 30:3; 40:2).
Reports of the healing of the demoniac earlier in the day raised the hopes of many stricken with incurable diseases. At the end of the sab bath, "when the sun did set", all the diseased and demented people were brought to him. The record says, "all the city was gathered together at the door". Jesus healed them all. Imagine the change in at titude from anguish to joy. And remember the effect on all of the curious spectators who had come to watch. What a wonderful demonstration of the power of God!
In all this there was a demand upon Jesus' endurance. He was af fected both physically and mentally as he sought not merely to heal, but to see that each one truly appreciated the goodness of God. Jesus' acts of healing were more than outpourings of power: they were responsive acts of giving that which was of God to others.
MORNING OF PRAYER (Mk. 1:35-39).
Though exhausted physically by the late night of healing activity, his body was refreshed with a few hours of sleep. But his mind yearn ed for his Father's presence and strength away from the pressing throng of people. Accordingly, "a great while before day", Jesus awoke and "departed into a solitary place and prayed" (cp. Matt. 6:6). Away from the distraction of human affairs he could tap the source of his inner strength without interruption by communion with his Father.
Early in the day there were signs that the proceedings of the night before would be repeated. But, Jesus was not to be found in the house. Peter led the search for him and at last they found him. To have come by the Lord in this solitary place in prayer must have been an unforgettable experience. They were beginning to learn that his acts of love and power, and the inner source of his life, had their roots in deep personal and sacred fellowship with the Father. If prayer was a need for him, how much more so for us, who lack his divine heritage and vision?
Peter came with the message: "All men seek for thee', expecting no doubt, that the Lord would hurry back to the house. Was he going to allow such an opportunity for publicity to pass? The Lord's reply must have confused them: "Let us go into the next town, that I may preach there also; for therefore came I forth" (v.38). Was he callous and indifferent to human needs? Never. His ministry fell basically into two categories € healing and PREACHING. Healing would restore men's health for a limited time but preaching could save them eternal ly. Healing was merely the sign of his authority to speak. Thus preaching was his prime concern, and the reason why he had been sent (cp. Isa. 61:1). There was the danger that the present emphasis upon healing might affect this vital mission. So he left Capernaum to fulfil his mission. Perhaps his departure was a decision which resulted from his prayer. Moreover the people of Capernaum would in fact benefit; once the excitement had faded, they would have time to cogitate upon his words in the light of his works (cp. Jn. 5:36-38).
THE FIRST LEPER CLEANSED (Mk. 1:40-45).
The Law of Moses decreed lepers to be social outcasts. They had to dwell outside the cities and towns (Num. 5:1-4). From a distance this leper witnessed Jesus' power: he saw the anguish of sickness transformed into the joy of health and he yearned for cleansing. With great daring and humility he came. Kneeling he besought the Lord, "if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean". His faith in Jesus' power to save him was not equalled by his confidence in Jesus' willingness to do so. He felt that the only thing that stood between him and cleansing was Jesus willingness to perform the task. Would not this Jesus be prejudiced against his class like all men? Jesus' reponse is notable:
€ Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean € (v.41).
There was no reluctance in Jesus. It was entirely unnecessary to cajole mercy from him. Compassion was involved in all Jesus € miracles and the leper was to learn that it would be extended to him.
- He € touched € him. This was an amazing thing as lepers were not to be touched as they conferred € defilement € .
- € I will; be thou clean € . Here were words of cheer and solace. What do they mean to us? The Lord's "I will" has never lost its effec tiveness for the heart that believes he can save. Jesus never refused such. He always invited men to "come unto him" (cp. Isa. 55:1-3; Matt. 11:28-30).
The result was instantaneous healing. Instead of the Lord contrac ting defilement, he imparted cleansing. Leprosy was a disease which could only be removed by the divine hand that imposed it (Ex. 4:7; Num. 12:10-15; 2 Kgs. 5:7-8). Here surely was the power of God.
Jesus requested the man to conceal what had happened from men and to show himself to the priests "as a testimony unto them" and to make the sacrifice required by the Law of Moses. Jesus never publicis ed his power or projected himself. Such marks belonged to human aspirants but had no part in the dignity belonging to Yahweh's servant (Isa. 42:1-4; Matt. 12:16-20).
The disease of leprosy represents the curse of mortality in a dramatic portrayal, for the flesh visibly decomposes while the victim is alive. As mortality has come by sin, so this dread disease was given as a punishment in certain cases for sin (Num. 12:10; 2 Kgs. 5:7-8; 2 Chron. 26:19). The sacrifices required for its cleansing are typical of the redemptive work of the Lord. In this miracle we see a foreshadow ing of the Lord's work, for through him mortality shall be swallowed up in life.
THE HOUSETOP HEALING (Mk. 2:1-12).
The leper did not heed Jesus' instruction to "say nothing to any man", but blazoned abroad the news of his cure. By his action large crowds were attracted to Jesus, making it necessary for him to abide in the desert. And yet despite this "they came to him from every quarter" (Mk. 1:45). "After some days" when the initial enthusiasm had abated, Jesus again ventured into "the house" in Capernaum.
As the news of his return circulated, the people again crowded about him. The doorways were jammed by those anxious to make his acquaintance. This posed a problem to a company of men anxious to see the healing of a palsied friend, whom they bore upon a bed. How could they present him to the healer again present in their midst? Faith found a way. They lifted him to the roof, peeled back part of it and lowered him down in the presence of all! Jesus' preaching was inter rupted and the palsied man became the focus of attention. This deed may have appeared presumptuous. What sort of reaction would he then receive?
Jesus was impressed with the faith which lay behind his coming to him: "without faith, it is impossible to please God". The palsied man believed, and was forgiven and healed: the prescription for salvation is no different today (Mk. 16:16). There is an impressive lesson in all this € Jesus does not turn away those who seek him with a true heart (Matt. 7:7-8).
But there were those in the audience who took exception to him forgiving sins: "Why doth this man speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?" Strange emotions began to stir in the hearts of the scribes, whose prestige and standing was suffering as Jesus rose in popularity among the people. Already they had been unfavourably compared (Mk. 1:22). The seeds of jealousy were already beginning to take root, and at length they would develop into open hatred and murder. Jesus was conscious of their feelings. There was nothing wrong with questioning whether a man had God's authority to forgive sins. But there was much wrong with such doubts when the evidence that established this authority was rejected.
Jesus was going to provide them with reason to accept that he had such authority. It was easy for any man to say, "thy sins be forgiven thee"; it was much more difficult to say to a palsied man, "Arise, take up thy bed and walk". The evidence of healing could be tested by eye witnesses, but forgiveness is not something which can be seen - in heal ing the man, Jesus was giving abundant proof that he had authority from God to forgive sins.
The miracle led many to belief, for they glorifed God saying, "We never saw anything like this" (Weymouth). In contrast, the persistent refusal of the rulers to see God's approval of Jesus in the mighty works, led ultimately to their destruction.
LESSONS FOR US:
- Jesus was not indifferent to the feelings and weaknesses of those about him.
- His touch and his works brought peace of mind and comfort to the afflicted people who sought him out. We can be assured of his in terest in us and his concern for our spiritual welfare.
- Healing was a major witness used by Jesus to give emphasis to the Truth that he was preaching.
- Jesus taught that disease and death (i.e. mortality) can only be overcome by faith in the power of God. If we develop a faith similar to that of those people who were healed, then We too can escape from the consequences of sin at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
REFERENCE LIBRARY:
"A Life of Jesus" (M. Purkis) € Pages 101-113
"The Gospel of the Son of God" (L. G. Sargent) € Pages 25-35
"Law and Grace" (W. F. Barling) € Pages 191-192
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:
1. How did Jesus seek encouragement from his Father to perform the work before him? Illustrate your answer by referring to the events at Capernaum,
- Jesus "bare our sicknesses", said the prophet Isaiah. Show the truth of this statement by referring to the events at Capernaum.
- Describe the healing of the palsied man at Capernaum. How did Jesus prove on that occasion that he had authority to forgive sins?
- Why did Jesus perform miracles?
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
- Write an account of miracles performed by Jesus in the region of Capernaum during his Early Galilean ministry. What lessons can be drawn from them?
- Write an account of the healing of the first leper to come to Jesus. How did Jesus surpass the Law of Moses in dealing with a leper?
- Write an essay on the way that Jesus used miracles to show he had the authority of God.