That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
(Mark 1:32-34 ESV)

Notice in this paragraph of Scripture the advancement of the Kingdom being established through Jesus.  The Kingdom is always advanced through point of need ministry and we will see that throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry as we study the Gospels.  It started that Sabbath day in the synagogue with the deliverance of the man possessed by a demon (Mark 1:26) and spread to inside a house with the healing of a woman (Mark 1:31) and now Jesus takes it to the streets of the city of Capernaum as people are brought to Him there.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
(Mark 1:32-34 ESV)

The Jewish Sabbath is a weekly day of rest observed from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday.  A lot has taken place on this Sabbath day that Mark tells us about in chapter 1 of his gospel.  Earlier in the day, Jesus teaches in the Synagogue and casts a demon out of a man who was in attendance there (Mark 1:21-28).  After the service, He heals Simon’s mother-in-law in the house of Simon and Andrew who were brothers (Mark 1:29-31).  And now, Mark is detailed in telling us that after the Sabbath was over, as marked by sundown, people brought to Jesus those “who were sick or oppressed by demons.”

Notice that the people who were brought to Him where either “sick or oppressed by demons.”  Some in our day have associated illness, especially mental illness, as demonic possession, but this account of Jesus’ life and ministry in Scripture is careful to separate the two.  It would be wrong for anyone in our day to attribute a person’s illness, whether it is physical or mental, to demon possession. 

I have been in the ministry for over 19 years.  I have ministered both within the walls of the church building and outside the walls of church building and beyond the confines of a church service.  I have ministered to those in hospitals and prisons.  I have ministered to young gang bangers in correctional facilities and the homeless on the streets.  I have ministered in America and in third world countries.  I have ministered to literally thousands of ill people both mentally and physically, but I can count on one hand those who were possessed by demons that were made obvious through physical manifestations including voice, facial distortions and actions.  I was never afraid and the Holy Spirit within me always triumphed over these evil encounters.  I tell this to implore you to not associate illness with demon possession.  Many precious people have been wounded and hurt because there are those who have taken their illness and proclaimed them to be demon possessed when they were not at all demon possessed.  It should not be and it hinders the work of those who are utilizing their life to advance God’s Kingdom with the help of the Holy Spirit who gives them the needed and necessary spiritual discernment.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

In the first chapter of Mark the Kingdom of God was manifested in the deliverance of a man (Mark 1:26) and the healing of a woman (Mark 1:31).  Jesus not only talked about the Kingdom that was being established in Him, but he also demonstrated this Kingdom through His actions.  It was not Jesus’ intention to prove He was the divine Son and the Bearer of the Holy Spirit by His acts of authority and power.  He cast out demons because they had no right to be in any part of human life which they sought to destroy.  He brought healing out of love for the sufferer.  When Jesus saw people suffering, He moved with compassion - a love that compels one to act to relieve the suffering.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

In the Kingdom of God there is love, grace, peace and freedom with race, gender, health and economic equality for all.  The Kingdom is established in Jesus.  He is ruling over it and it is advancing.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

Beloved, Jesus’ kingdom is more powerful than sickness and disease.  He still works immediate miracles and He also has provided us with processes of healing provided through medical science, medicine and medical professionals. 

Let’s never put Jesus in a box and pray expecting Him to bring healing a certain way.  Instead, let’s exercise our faith by taking advantage of all healing processes that He makes available to us.  Let’s also make available His healing to ALL people revealing to them, His kingdom in action.  Let’s help others as He has helped us.  In Jesus’ kingdom, there is health equality for all!

Know that you are loved,
gaj

And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
(Mark 1:29-31 ESV)

I don’t want to neglect a piece of this paragraph of Scripture that is very important and must be touched on.  Notice what Simon’s mother-in-law does after Jesus heals her of both her fever and whatever was causing it.  She get’s up out of the bed and immediately helps others. 

Beloved, Jesus helps us so that we can help others.  Live your life recognizing His hand on it and using it to always help others.  As you do, His kingdom will be revealed through your actions.

Know that you are loved,
gaj

It is unfortunate that not everyone has equal and affordable access to heath care in our day.  I believe that this grieves the heart of God because every person, regardless of location and finances, are God’s children. He loves each one and expects us to make available to each one, the same opportunities for healing and ease from suffering.  Beloved, as we do, more people will realize the kingdom that Jesus is ruling over. 

I thank God for hospitals that churches have founded such as St. Mary's in Huntington, West Virginia.  Let’s make make these healing facilities available to all people in our day.

Know that you are loved,
gaj