Mark 1:40-45

Mark 1:40

I. In this chapter we have seen some who were brought to the Saviour, and in the 40th verse we find a man who came to Jesus. Note the blessedness of those who have others to conduct them to Jesus Christ; also note the opportunity which each man has of making his case known to Jesus Christ.

II. Ver. 44 may be used for the purpose of showing how Jesus Christ brings men into the established laws and relations of His own government, even under circumstances which might seem to justify an exception to the usual course of things. In our highest moments of inspiration and delight we ought to be controlled by law. Even our ecstasy should be regulated where it might endanger the constancy and faithfulness of our life. Jesus Christ never dissociates the ministry from the preceding dispensations; He always heightens and consummates; He never destroys except by fulfilment as the fruit destroys the blossom. The whole chapter might be used for the purpose of showing how possible it is for our Christian life to be sublime from the very beginning.

III. The 45th verse shows how much can be done by the energy of one man. So much did the recovered leper publish his restoration that Jesus Christ could no more openly enter into the city by reason of the multitude that thronged upon Him, and by reason of the sensation which so great a miracle had created. Is there not in this incident an illustration of what we may do by being faithful to our convictions and impulses regarding the Son of God? Have we been healed without publishing the fact? Have we mentioned the fact of our conversion even to our dearest friend? Learn from the leper the possibility of so exalting a whole neighbourhood about personal recovery as to extend the name, and bring blessings upon the gracious power, of Jesus Christ.

Parker, City Temple,1871, p. 43.

References: Mark 1:40. W. F. Hook, Sermons on the Miracles,vol. i., p. 87; Preacher's Monthly,vol. iii., p. 49. Mark 1:40. J. G. Greenbough, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxvii., p. 280. Mark 1:40. W. Hanna, Our Lord's Life on Earth,p. 137. Mark 1:41. Spurgeon, Morning by Morning,p. 248. Mark 1:43. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. ii., p. 107; vol. v., p. 299. Mark 1:45. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxii., No. 1298.