Decisiveness
Immediately, Right Away, At Once, Instantly
Mark 1:16-45
Immediately, right away, at once, instantly, at that very moment, suddenly.
All of these phrases are in today’s translation of Mark 1:16-45. Do we get Mark’s point? Jesus, a teacher of a particular authority, is not messing around. So much of Mark’s gospel will put Jesus on display in the dismantling of those things that disturb humanity (sickness, demon possession, etc.). The Son of God has been sent to restore humanity to the goodness God intended (AKA salvation).
While the gospel of John might present to us a picture of Jesus that is more nuanced, drawn-out, and contemplative (think of the Jesus of John 11 who waits a while to do anything upon hearing Lazarus is dying), the Markan Jesus is intent on healing here and now.
Immediately, right away, at once, instantly, at that very moment, suddenly.
This kind of leadership has got to be attractive to us today for many reasons. We do want to take care using the word “leader” with Jesus as Western notions of leadership today do not exactly fit with biblical leadership. Nonetheless, the authority with which Jesus moves is refreshing.
Decisive and compassionate.
Mark 1:16-45
As Jesus passed alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” Right away, they left their nets and followed him. After going a little farther, he saw James and John, Zebedee’s sons, in their boat repairing the fishing nets. At that very moment he called them. They followed him, leaving their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired workers.
Jesus and his followers went into Capernaum. Immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and started teaching. The people were amazed by his teaching, for he was teaching them with authority, not like the legal experts. Suddenly, there in the synagogue, a person with an evil spirit screamed, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the holy one from God.”
“Silence!” Jesus said, speaking harshly to the demon. “Come out of him!” The unclean spirit shook him and screamed, then it came out.
Everyone was shaken and questioned among themselves, “What’s this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands unclean spirits and they obey him!” Right away the news about him spread throughout the entire region of Galilee.
After leaving the synagogue, Jesus, James, and John went home with Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed, sick with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she served them.
That evening, at sunset, people brought to Jesus those who were sick or demon-possessed. The whole town gathered near the door. He healed many who were sick with all kinds of diseases, and he threw out many demons. But he didn’t let the demons speak, because they recognized him.
Early in the morning, well before sunrise, Jesus rose and went to a deserted place where he could be alone in prayer. Simon and those with him tracked him down. When they found him, they told him, “Everyone’s looking for you!”
He replied, “Let’s head in the other direction, to the nearby villages, so that I can preach there too. That’s why I’ve come.” He traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and throwing out demons.
A man with a skin disease approached Jesus, fell to his knees, and begged, “If you want, you can make me clean.”
Incensed, Jesus reached out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do want to. Be clean.” Instantly, the skin disease left him, and he was clean. Sternly, Jesus sent him away, saying, “Don’t say anything to anyone. Instead, go and show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifice for your cleansing that Moses commanded. This will be a testimony to them.” Instead, he went out and started talking freely and spreading the news so that Jesus wasn’t able to enter a town openly. He remained outside in deserted places, but people came to him from everywhere.
Prayer
God,
It seems much of today’s problems are due to the lack of a combination of decisiveness and righteous, for want of an authority that is also thoughtful and considerate.
Too many people crossing a border? Send them back! Or…do nothing much at all!
They threaten us with violence? Bomb them first! Beat them to the punch!
I’m not looking for Jesus to be a governmental leader, God. I just wish that his character would come through a bit more, particularly in those who claim him to be savior.
But I can’t do much about that, can I, God? (Please do hear this as my prayer for those in authority.)
So help me to do what I can where I am, with the authority I do have, in the influence of those right around me. Help me make good decisions with compassion.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.