The Evening Crowd: Mark 1:32-34
“32) When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33) And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34) And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.” Mark 1:32-34
The reputation of Jesus as an authoritative teacher and healer was spreading quickly. As He was spending an evening at the home of Andrew and Peter, the whole city gathered at the door. They brought the sick and oppressed to Him for healing.
He did two things. He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons. Verse 33 ends with a foot note; “… and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.” This scenario was common in the life and ministry of Jesus as recorded in each of the four gospels.
We are forced by the text (and many other gospel accounts) to conclude that neither disease nor demons were a match for Jesus Christ. He never encountered a disease He could not cure or a demon he could not cast out. His authority and power were unmatched.
Keep in mind, this was before His death, burial, resurrection and ascension. According to Colossians 2:13-15, He utterly disarmed Satan and His works on the cross. We now discover that He was King of kings and Lord of Lords from eternity past. He had authority on earth over diseases, demons and the forces of nature.
So how could anyone believe or propose that His authority and power have diminished at the present time? If anything, it has increased because He came to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8) He did that through His death and resurrection.
We are herein exposed. The true nature of our belief system about Jesus Christ is on trial. Let’s be honest, the modern western church has a very degraded view of Jesus Christ. We do not walk in His authority or power. In fact, many pastors and modern western scholars conclude with zero biblical support that “God no longer does miracles today.”
According to 1 Corinthians 1 and 2, the above conclusion is the position of the natural man. It is the view of secular and lost humanity. Contrast this with the gospel Paul preached and the power of God that accompanied his gospel. (Read 1 Corinthians 2:4-5) The contrast Paul draws in these two chapters is monumental.
These two verses and many others convicted me that the problem was within me and not with God. He has not changed! The many hours, weeks, months and years I have spent in the study of Scripture have utterly transformed my thinking. My blinder have been removed. My erroneous thinking has been exposed. I now fully embrace the glorified Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. There is no disease or demon that is a match for Him!
As my view of Jesus Christ has been expanding, many small boxes in my life are being shattered and miracles associated with every title and office of Jesus Christ are becoming common. I still have a lot of growing, but I fully welcome the new authority and power Jesus is adding to my life and ministry.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“32) When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. 33) And the whole city had gathered at the door. 34) And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.” Mark 1:32-34
The reputation of Jesus as an authoritative teacher and healer was spreading quickly. As He was spending an evening at the home of Andrew and Peter, the whole city gathered at the door. They brought the sick and oppressed to Him for healing.
He did two things. He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons. Verse 33 ends with a foot note; “… and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.” This scenario was common in the life and ministry of Jesus as recorded in each of the four gospels.
We are forced by the text (and many other gospel accounts) to conclude that neither disease nor demons were a match for Jesus Christ. He never encountered a disease He could not cure or a demon he could not cast out. His authority and power were unmatched.
Keep in mind, this was before His death, burial, resurrection and ascension. According to Colossians 2:13-15, He utterly disarmed Satan and His works on the cross. We now discover that He was King of kings and Lord of Lords from eternity past. He had authority on earth over diseases, demons and the forces of nature.
So how could anyone believe or propose that His authority and power have diminished at the present time? If anything, it has increased because He came to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8) He did that through His death and resurrection.
We are herein exposed. The true nature of our belief system about Jesus Christ is on trial. Let’s be honest, the modern western church has a very degraded view of Jesus Christ. We do not walk in His authority or power. In fact, many pastors and modern western scholars conclude with zero biblical support that “God no longer does miracles today.”
According to 1 Corinthians 1 and 2, the above conclusion is the position of the natural man. It is the view of secular and lost humanity. Contrast this with the gospel Paul preached and the power of God that accompanied his gospel. (Read 1 Corinthians 2:4-5) The contrast Paul draws in these two chapters is monumental.
These two verses and many others convicted me that the problem was within me and not with God. He has not changed! The many hours, weeks, months and years I have spent in the study of Scripture have utterly transformed my thinking. My blinder have been removed. My erroneous thinking has been exposed. I now fully embrace the glorified Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. There is no disease or demon that is a match for Him!
As my view of Jesus Christ has been expanding, many small boxes in my life are being shattered and miracles associated with every title and office of Jesus Christ are becoming common. I still have a lot of growing, but I fully welcome the new authority and power Jesus is adding to my life and ministry.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
