When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were
ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the
door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he
drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they
knew him. Mark 1:32–34
Jesus was in the home of Simon Peter whose mother-in-law He had
just cured. “The whole town gathered at the door” when evening
came. This was Jesus’ first time being in Capernaum after beginning
His public ministry, and already people were flocking to Him in
droves. The next morning, Jesus got up before dawn and went away
alone to pray. Soon, some of the disciples found Him and told Him
that, once again, the whole town was looking for Him.
The excitement was great. So many were amazed. And their amazement
at Jesus was not simply a form of curiosity. It was an amazement
fueled by faith, which is why Jesus was able to perform so many
miracles there. The people quickly realized that Jesus was the One
of Whom the prophets of old had spoken. He was the Messiah, and the
people gave Him their full attention.
This is a good image for us to ponder. As you think of the crowds
and their unwavering desire to be near our Lord, consider your own
desires pertaining to God. Do you regularly find yourself consumed
with a desire to find our Lord, to be with Him, to listen to Him
and to receive His grace and mercy? Or are you tempted to see Jesus
and the practice of your faith as boring and uninteresting? One of
the unfortunate effects of modern technology is that we easily
become fascinated by and intrigued with many superficial things.
Perhaps it’s the latest short video on a mobile app, or the latest
episode of a favorite television series, or a new post by a friend
on social media. There are many things today that compete for our
attention, intrigue us and even amaze us. Is Jesus one of those
things in your life?
In our modern world of constant stimulation and entertainment, we
need to understand the difference between being amazed at the
latest pop trend and being amazed by the grace and divine actions
of our Lord. When we come face-to-face with the power of God in our
lives, we will be amazed in a way that fulfills and satisfies us on
the deepest level. It will be a spiritual amazement, which is a
gift of the Holy Spirit. And the satisfaction we receive from this
form of amazement is transforming, deep and sustaining. But when we
turn to lesser and more sensory “amazements” common within our
world today, we will find that they last only for a moment, and we
are quickly left dry and wanting for more.
Reflect, today, upon the people in today’s Gospel who were so
enthralled by Jesus that they continually sought Him out. Consider
their excitement, their hope and their genuine joy at their
discovery of the Messiah. As you think about them, consider whether
you share in their excitement about Jesus. If that excitement is
lacking, recommit yourself to seeking out our Lord. And where you
see that excitement present, rejoice and give glory to God.
Most glorious Lord, Your love and mercy are truly amazing.
Please help me to continually see this in my life and to
continually become enthralled by Your presence in my life. May I
run to You always, giving You my full attention and love. Jesus, I
trust in You.
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Featured image above: Crowds gather as Christ heals the sick,
via Wikimedia Commons
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