Slow Down Jesus

I find it amazing that we are at the 5th Sunday after Epiphany and only 39 verses into the gospel of Mark! But these verses make me feel like Jesus is in a race and I can’t keep up. John the Baptist is in the wilderness, Jesus shows up, gets baptized, is driven into the desert, calls disciples, teaches in the synagogue, casts out an unclean spirit, heals Simon’s mother-in-law, heals many others, prays in private and travels all over Galilee-all in 39 verses!

Today’s reading begins with Simon’s sick mother-in-law. Jesus heals her, and the good news which began in her home quickly spreads throughout the neighbourhood to the entire town. By the time evening arrives, the whole city has come to Jesus for healing. Jesus responds by leaving so that he could reach out to others.

Mark emphasises the good news of God’s presence in the world. Everything that Jesus says and does changes lives. From the moment that Jesus is baptized until he dies on the cross and rises from the dead, lives are changed. Mark also helps us to realize how committed God is to this journey. It is all being done for us.

Saving God, thank you for everything. Amen. — VSR

Contributed by Slow Down Jesus

I find it amazing that we are at the 5th Sunday after Epiphany and only 39 verses into the gospel of Mark! But these verses make me feel like Jesus is in a race and I can't keep up. John the Baptist is in the wilderness, Jesus shows up, gets baptized, is driven into the desert, calls disciples, teaches in the synagogue, casts out an unclean spirit, heals Simon's mother-in-law, heals many others, prays in private and travels all over Galilee-all in 39 verses! Today's reading begins with Simon's sick mother-in-law. Jesus heals her, and the good news which began in her home quickly spreads throughout the neighbourhood to the entire town. By the time evening arrives, the whole city has come to Jesus for healing. Jesus responds by leaving so that he could reach out to others. Mark emphasises the good news of God's presence in the world. Everything that Jesus says and does changes lives. From the moment that Jesus is baptized until he dies on the cross and rises from the dead, lives are changed. Mark also helps us to realize how committed God is to this journey. It is all being done for us.
Eternity for Today