"Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him."
Mark 1:32-34 NKJV
Even the demons knew Jesus, such was His reputation and, they'll know you too if you do great things for Jesus. Whenever, we do things that impress people, they want more of you, and will endeavour to seek you out. Peter's house was besieged with people who needed attention. As it was the Sabbath, they had to uphold the Law that forbade the carrying of any burden through a town on the Sabbath (Jeremiah 17:24). They therefore, waited until after the day's end - after 6pm and when the sun had gone down, then made a bee-line to Peter's house.
Rumours spread like wildfire; somehow they had heard of the healings that had taken place that day, especially at Peter's place. So they turned up by the dozen with sick and demon possessed people and demanded that Jesus heal or drive out the demon. As I have said, if people get wind of you doing something out of the ordinary, they will seek you out. Some will want to know you, others will want to just be rude.
Here the people recognised in Jesus, a man who could do things, not only in word but also in action. It's alright talking about stuff, the prove is what they see happen. The sad thing is, they came to get something from Jesus, not to love and worship Him for who He was. To a degree, it is the same today. People will pray for what they need, if they get it, they go off and forget all about it. Jesus is not for the moment but, for life.
Note in these verses that, there is a clear distinction made between the diseased and the demonised. While Satan can cause physical affliction, not all sickness is caused by demonic power. This is important to remember.
So where are you in all of this? Have you a reputation for being a 'Christian', a 'Do-gooder' or 'Religious'? If so, this is good, you are getting noticed in your work or neighbourhood. Praise God for this. Don't ever try to hide away from it, be a 'Secret Christian'. When I was at Uni, I was told that the lecturers ate Christians for breakfast, they don't let you get away with anything. This, I found was true, to a degree. I determined that I would not deny my faith whatever happened. I was accused of lots of things but, I stood my ground, giving them to Jesus. He won every round.
I am proud to have a reputation and I hope you feel the same. If you haven't got one at the moment, let people know about your faith and, believe me, you soon will have. Think about it, what a privilege to be classed as a 'Jesus follower'. But be prepared that your reputation will follow you.
Copyright 2023 Grahame Howard.
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