Historical Evidence of a Most Definite Hope

The Whole City of God

(Mark 1:29-34, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, July 15, 2018)

[29] And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. [30] Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. [31] And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

[32] That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. [33] And the whole city was gathered together at the door. [34] And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Various Diseases

The Bible tells us that sin entered the world through one man (Romans 5:12). With sin came all kinds of trouble, including disease and death. Since that time, human beings have lived in a world under God's wrath and curse. God subjected the world to what Ecclesiastes and the Apostle Paul called “futility.” Things fall apart.

Paul says that God did this “in hope.” We read in Romans 8:20–25:

[20] For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. [23] And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. [24] For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? [25] But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

This is the big picture of suffering. Like Job, who faced great loss and a devastating skin disease, we are not normally permitted to understand the Lord's specific reasons for His providence, but we need to bear it all patiently. Israel was warned as a nation that their covenant rebellion against God would lead to much trouble, including diseases. They were also told that they could call out to God for help, individually and as a nation, with the hope that He would hear them as they humbled themselves before the Lord.

In 2 Kings 20:1-7 we learn that King Hezekiah had what the Scriptures call a “boil” which threatened his life. Despite a prophetic announcement from Isaiah that Hezekiah would die, the king “wept bitterly” before the Lord and He was heard. The Lord added fifteen years to his life. That does not always happen, but it did in his life.

In John 9 we read about a man born blind who was healed by Jesus. The disciples wondered who sinned in order for such a challenge to come upon this man, was it him or his parents? Jesus' answer is uplifting to hear: “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3)

Peter's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They told Jesus about her and he “took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.” We would like that healing today for the people that we pray for here. We live in a world of death and life. We need healing, and we are waiting patiently for the man who healed Peter's mother-in-law to return with the full deliverance that He has surely promised.

Jesus suddenly entered this world with His ministry of resurrection signs, and at the end of that day the whole city gathered at the door of the house where He was staying because the fact that He could overturn the curse was undeniable. No one denied that Jesus could heal. The facts were right in front of them.

Oppressed by Demons

Nor did anyone deny that Jesus could cast out demons. We are surprised to read about so much demonic activity associated with the overturning of the devil's dominion in Jesus' ministry. We return again to the beginning of the Bible to get the fuller story of this aspect of evil. Some may claim to know more about heaven and hell, and angels and demons than anyone in the first century could, but of all the people ever born on this earth, Jesus is the expert on these subjects. The Scriptures give us the sure record of His encounters with unseen realms and with His faultless analysis of what took place and the significance of this history for us today.

Angelic beings are real, and God has determined that they are to be “ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14) As we saw last week, some angels have fallen (Jude 1:6, 2 Peter 2:4). All are under the sovereign authority of the Almighty. “Our God is in the heavens; He does all that He pleases.” (Psalm 115:3) Once again, we remind ourselves of our own inability to sort out His providence. Yet we also quite certain about the full defeat of evil.

This complete defeat is tasted in the miracles of Jesus, but it happens especially at two moments in time. First, in the cross of cross (Colossians 2:15) where God in Christ “disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.” Second, in final judgment (2 Thessalonians 1, Revelation 20-21), when all that must be cast out of the new worls will face the fullness of God's eternal judgment.

The Only Hope of the World

The great overturning of various diseases and demonic hosts is sure. The beginning of their certain defeat was seen in the miracles of Jesus that we read about in our passage this morning. Therefore these supernatural events are quite important as historical markers and as devotional encouragements. They were true for Peter's mother-in-law, true for the whole city and region, and true for the entire world.

God has always had a plan for a world beyond disease and rebellion. What began in Galilee will not be finished until Jesus brings heaven to earth in a great work of astounding renewal. This is the Christian hope: The same Jesus who cared very specifically for Peter's mother-in-law will not be content to leave us sick and oppressed. He will make all things new.

Imagine the joy that our Lord has for us when the whole city of God is healed and free!

Sermon Point: Jesus' initial works were just the beginning of a vast and glorious future.

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 66 – Bless our God, O peoples!

New Testament Reading—1 Peter 5:1-11 – To Him be the dominion forever