Mark 1:29–39 Doing the Right Thing for the Wrong Reason

Doing the Right Thing for the Wrong Reason

Mark 1:29–39

Introduction: The Wrong Focus

Have you ever seen people get excited about something but miss the most important part? Imagine a group of kids who hear a famous athlete is coming to visit their school. They rush to get autographs, snap pictures, and brag to their friends—but they completely ignore why the athlete came: to teach them about hard work and perseverance.

This kind of distraction happened when Jesus began healing people. Crowds gathered around Him, amazed by His power. But many came for the miracles—not for the message. In Mark 1:29–39, we see Jesus healing the sick and casting out demons, but His true purpose was far greater.

Background & Context

After teaching in the synagogue, Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew, where Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever. Jesus took her hand, healed her, and she immediately began to serve them. That evening, word spread quickly. People from all over the town brought their sick and those possessed by demons. The whole city crowded around the door as Jesus healed many and cast out demons.

But He didn’t let the demons speak, because they knew who He truly was.

Jesus silenced the demons—not because what they said was false, but because it wasn’t their role to reveal His identity. God had already spoken through the Scriptures about a coming Messiah, and those prophecies were widely known. Through His public ministry, Jesus performed miracles that were not ordinary acts or general kindness—they were divine signs. These supernatural works fulfilled specific Old Testament prophecies and demonstrated that He was the promised Messiah. Each miracle was a direct act of God, intentionally interrupting the natural order to confirm that the message being preached—the good news of the kingdom—was true (Mark 16:20).

If demons had been allowed to declare who Jesus was, it would have bypassed the responsibility each person had to examine the Scriptures, consider the signs, and respond in faith. Jesus wanted the people of Israel to recognize Him through the testimony of God’s Word and works—not the voice of an unclean spirit.

The Crowds Came, But for the Wrong Reason

Jesus’ fame spread quickly. Overnight, He went from being a teacher to a sensation. People weren’t just listening—they were coming in droves because of what they heard He could do.

But even with all that attention, Jesus didn’t chase the spotlight. The next morning, before anyone else was awake, He went to a quiet place to pray. He didn’t stay where the crowds were waiting. He didn’t return to the cheering fans. Instead, He spent time with His Father—because His mission wasn’t about popularity, but obedience.

When the disciples finally found Him, they were excited. “Everyone is looking for you!” But Jesus answered in a surprising way:

“Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” (Mark 1:38)

His mission wasn’t just to heal—it was to preach the good news of the kingdom of God.

The Message Was More Important Than the Miracles

So what was the message Jesus came to preach?

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

Jesus didn’t come to be a miracle worker. He came to call people to repentance and faith. Healing was a sign of the kingdom—but the message was what truly mattered.

This wasn’t the only time people followed Jesus for the wrong reasons. In John 6, after Jesus fed thousands with a few loaves and fish, the crowds came looking for Him again. But Jesus told them:

“You are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.” (John 6:26)

They were focused on their stomachs, not their souls. But Jesus wanted them to see something deeper: that He was the Bread of Life—the one who satisfies eternally.

Even today, people come to Jesus with all kinds of motives. Some seek help in times of trouble. Some want blessings without repentance. Others enjoy the idea of Jesus but don’t want to follow His commands. The question is: Do we follow Jesus for who He is—or just for what He can do for us?

Conclusion: Keeping the Right Focus

There’s more to life than temporary comfort. Jesus’ miracles were amazing, but they were not the main point. His mission was to bring the message of salvation—and that same message is still the center of our faith today.

As followers of Jesus, we need to ask ourselves:

  • Why do we seek Him?
  • Are we drawn to Him for what He gives—or for who He is?
  • Are we willing to follow Him, even when there’s no personal benefit?

Jesus calls us to something far greater than physical healing or momentary help. He calls us to repentance, to faith, and to a life centered on Him. That is why He came. And that’s why we follow.

Scripture References

  • Isaiah 61:1 – A prophecy describing the Messiah as one who would proclaim good news and bring healing and freedom to the broken. Jesus read this passage in the synagogue and declared it fulfilled in Himself.
  • Mark 1:15 – Jesus announces that the time is fulfilled, the kingdom of God is near, and calls for repentance and belief in the gospel—the core of His message.
  • Mark 1:38 – Jesus explains that He must move on to preach elsewhere, revealing that His mission was centered on proclaiming the gospel, not staying to perform miracles.
  • Mark 16:20 – After the resurrection, Jesus worked through His disciples and confirmed the truth of their preaching with accompanying signs.
  • John 6:26 – Jesus rebukes the crowd for following Him only because He fed them, pointing out that their interest was in temporary satisfaction rather than eternal truth.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mark 1:1-8 The Promise of the Gospel

The Promise of the Gospel Mark 1:1–8 Introduction: A Long-Awaited Bloom Some flowers take a long time to reveal their beauty. The Queen of the Andes is one such plant. It grows quietly for almost 100 years before blooming only once, releasing thousands of smaller flowers and millions of seeds—then it dies. All those years of waiting finally lead to one moment of stunning fulfillment. This is a lot like the Gospel. From the very beginning, God planted a promise that one day a Savior would come to fix what was broken. Through years of waiting and many reminders, God carefully nurtured that promise. In Mark 1:1–8, we see that promise beginning to bloom. John the Baptist steps onto the scene to prepare the way for Jesus—the long-awaited Savior. The Promise of a Savior “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Mark 1:1) The Gospel isn’t just a story—it’s the fulfillment of a plan God has been unfolding since the very beginning. After Adam and Eve sinned in...
Read more

Mark 4:35-41 Who Then Is This?

Who Then Is This? (Mark 4:35–41) Introduction Imagine hiring a contractor for a home renovation. You meet someone confident, knowledgeable, and reassuring, but when the work begins, the experience doesn’t match the promises. Calls go unanswered, deadlines are missed, and the finished product is disappointing. The person who made the promise isn’t the same person delivering the work. Unlike people, Jesus is entirely consistent. Who He claims to be is exactly who He is, both in word and action. In Mark 4:35–41, Jesus demonstrates His power over creation itself, proving that He is not just a messenger but the very Son of God. This passage challenges us to ask, as the disciples did, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41) Jesus’ Purpose: Preaching the Kingdom (Mark 4:35–36) As evening came, Jesus told His disciples, “Let us go across to the other side” (Mark 4:35). He had been teaching the crowds all day, but now He was moving on. Why? Because Jesus...
Read more

Obadiah 1-4 The Pride of Your Heart Has Deceived You

Image
Obadiah 1-4 The Pride of Your Heart Has Deceived You Main Point God has spoken, pride lies, and false saviors fail. Introduction The book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, yet its message is sharp and clear. God will humble the proud, and false saviors cannot stand on the Day of the Lord. Obadiah speaks against Edom, the descendants of Esau, who placed their confidence in high rocks, strong defenses, and the pride of their hearts. This is not only ancient history. The same warnings confront us today. Judges showed that God’s people fell apart when they did what was right in their own eyes. Jude warned that false teachers twist grace and lead the church astray. Obadiah declares that those outside God’s covenant who trust in themselves will fall. Pride blinds. Sin destroys. God judges. Only His King can save (Obadiah 1:1 to 4). 1. A Message from the LORD of Coming Judgment Obadiah opens with a vision. The message did not come from his imagin...
Read more