THE KING’S BUSINESS
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raised her up.” People need to be lifted, it is not enough to say, “Arise.” ’, Then it was “the fever left her.” Sickness vanishes when Jesus comes. Peter’s wife’s mother now healed, began at once to use her new found strength in ministering to her healer. Many who are healed or helped forget to do this. A wonderful scene follows (vs. 33, 34) : the people wait until the Sabbath closes at sunset, then from every corner of Capernaum they bring to1Jesus all the de mon-possessed and sick. They had had proof of His power to deliver and heal. Would that we who have so much more proof would bring our Devil-tormented and sick ones to Him. But these people were very like us, they were not so eager for spiritual blessings as for healing-. Never theless, Jesus healed “every one of them” (Luke 4:50). These great blessings and wonderful manifestations of the Divine power of Jesus did not result in the spir itual regeneration of the place (Matt. 11: 23, 24). Tuesday, May 25. Mark 1:35-38. Jesus’ healing work cost Him something. The strain upon His intensely- sympathetic nature, and the drain upon His vital forces were far beyond what we ordinarily think. He needed rest after that eventful day in Capernaum, but there was a place of re freshment that brought more lasting relief to His overburdened heart and quicker restoration to His exhausted energies and a larger increment of power for the work yet to be done than the softest couch. He needed rest, but He needed God more (cf. Mark 6:31-46). After wearying days and in anticipation of coming events, Jesus al ways spent long hours in prayer (Luke 6: 12; John 6:15; Luke 22:39-46). Many a fol lower of His has learned the same secret of refreshment for past and preparation for coming effort. His choice of time and place to pray are full of suggestiveness, and se verely condemn the folly of those who think they can do all the necessary praying while at their work and can pray equally
about Jesus of anyone in the synagogue, so it is evident that orthodoxy is not salva tion (cf. Jas. 2:19; Rom. 10:9, 10; Gal. 5: 6). Jesus’ answer to the orthodox confes sion of the demon was Very brief, “Be si lent” (literally “muzzled”), “and come out of him.” Jesus never accepted the testi mony of demons (v. 34 ch. 3:11, 12; Acts» 16:16-18). The demon did not wish to come out but he had to, hut he made a last struggle and gave his victim a parting blow; he made himself felt and heard, but the cry was one of despair and this awful struggle was the last. It is the Devil’s way to make a last struggle before giving up his hold upon a man (Rev. 12:12). The people earlier in the day had been “astonished” that He taught with authority, now they were “amazed” that wjth authority He com- V mands even the mighty demons and they obey Him, but neither astonishment nor amazement are conversion. Monday, May 24. Mark 1:29-34. Here we have Jesus in the home; the family invited Jesus to dinner and well were they repaid. It always pays to in vite Jesus to our homes (cf. Matt. 25:37-40, 44). There was sickness in this home and they did the wisest thing that can be done when we have sick ones in our homes, “They tell Him of her.” Jesus would have us today act toward Him just as the dis ciples did when He was here on earth (Heb. 13:8). He would have felt hurt if they had run off for the doctor instead of coming first to Him. There was no delay in tell ing, “straightway.” Note just what Jesus did, (1) “He came.” Jesus could heal at a distance (John 4:50-53), but He loved to come right to the afflicted one. Today there is too much trying to minister to the sick, suffering and sinning at a distance. (2) “He took her by the hand.” It is the hand grasp of the strong, well hand that the sick need; it is the hand grasp of a holy, strong hand that the sinful and weak need. This taking by the hand religion is much needed in many of our churches today. (3) / ‘He
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