Mark 1:32-39 More Healings at Peter’s House
Format for Your Devotions
Instructions: Do not read my example devotion until you have completed your own devotional time in the scriptures. Reading my thoughts first may limit your own understanding. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you alone before looking to see what anyone else has to say, whether it is me, a Bible commentary, or a friend. Let God speak to you before you let another person speak to you. I have provided a format, but modify it to fit your needs. For example, I usually combine my application and prayer together talking to God about the application to my own life. You can go through this devotion process mentally, speaking out loud, or in writing as you wish. Don’t worry if you are not following this process exactly. Sometimes, I add extra information and sometimes I emphasize one part more than others. However, you should always think about what you learn about God from this passage.
Step 1: Pray–Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance first of all and that God may reveal the lessons that He wants you to have that day. Request that God protect you from Satan’s distractions (and the devil will try to distract you whether it is pinching the baby or putting you to sleep). Ask to see God more clearly as you read and think about the passage.
Step 2: Read the passage–Read to get an overview of the information first. Then start looking at specific parts after the first reading. You may read a larger or smaller section than I have here because you do not have to follow my organization at all.
Step 3: Understand the passage–You can summarize, ask and answer your own questions about the passage, visualize the story, analyze the characters, and relate this passage to other scriptures and personal experiences.
Step 4: What does this reveal about God?–What do you learn about the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit from this passage?
Step 5: Apply this to your own life.
Step 6: Prayer
My Example Devotion: December 30, 2017 Mark 1:32-39
Note: In the devotion examples, I leave my questions and thought processes in the text because I am trying to demonstrate that a devotional time is a dialogue with God about what you are reading from His word. As such, any questions or ideas that you have should be explored by talking it out with God. These example devotions are not my attempts to teach you what the meaning of a particular scripture is. They are an attempt to teach you the process of devotions, which is a combination of prayer and Bible study where you explore ideas with God as you read His word.
When evening came, after the sun had set, people started bringing to him everyone who was sick or possessed by demons. In fact, the whole city gathered at the door. He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. However, he wouldn’t allow the demons to speak because they knew who he was.
(Understanding the Passage) This was on Saturday evening. They had started the day out at the synagogue where Jesus had taught and amazed the people with his authority and message. During that time a demon-possessed man had confronted Jesus, and the demon had been cast out. Then, Jesus and company went to Peter’s house. When they were there, Jesus was told that Peter’s mother-in-law had a high fever. Jesus went to her and taking hold of her hand, healed her and helped her up. She immediately began serving her many guests. They would have had an afternoon of companionship until about 6:00 or so when the sun set.
Matthew Card suggests that the crowds were not gathering just because of the teaching and demoniac in the morning, but also because someone had spread the news of the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. Regardless of why, as soon as Sabbath was over, the flow of people began. They came to Peter’s house with their sick and their demon-possessed, and Jesus healed them and drove out the demons. The demons tried to say who He was, but He wouldn’t let them. It was too early to be identified as the Messiah, and that identification should not come from demons.
So many people came that Peter said the whole city was gathered at his door. Thus, it was packed with people. This was not the occasion when the paralyzed man was healed when his friends broke open Peter’s roof and lowered the man because they could not get through the crowds. That happened later.
(Revelation of God) When Jesus is present, He will draw people to Him.
(Application and Prayer) My job is to make sure You are present. I pray that you will be present today in church, but also at the nursing home. I pray to have the right attitude and lift you up to people, so that they will be drawn to you.