Jesus Christ - a miracle-worker. A healer.

As Jesus Christ begins his ministry in Mark 1 he quickly becomes a local celebrity.

He casts out demons in the synagogue, he restores the health of Peter's sick mother-in-law, and he heals each man and woman who come to him in the evening.

His name and fame are rapidly spreading across the hills and towns of Galilee. In fact, news of his miraculous healings reach the ears of a leper - a man isolated from society because of his skin disease.

This anonymous man comes to Christ for healing. Instead of showing him contempt, Jesus Christ shows compassion on him and heals him. 

The Son of God restores this man's health; he restores his place in society. Now this man can return to his family, he can look for a job, he can share fellowship and food with others.

However, in the midst of Jesus Christ's miraculous healings, he seeks solititude. He seeks prayer. He seeks communion with God the Father.

He willingly trades his position of celebrity for a place of prayer.

He trades notoriety and fame for fellowship with the Father.

That's not the only trade Jesus Christ makes in Mark 1. As numerous scholars point out, in the final verses of Mark 1 Jesus Christ trades places with the leper.

When Christ met the leper the latter was marginalized from society and forced to remain alone; yet after Jesus Christ heals him it is Christ who "could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places."

After healing this man, Jesus Christ was placed in a position where he had to remain outside towns and cities because of his fame as a healer and wonder-worker.

Further, if you reflect on these verses it's a reminder of what the triune God does for you. This miracle is a parable of your salvation.

He heals you. He takes away your disease of sin and gives you his righteousness. He takes away your future of death and gives you eternal life. He takes you from living alone in sin under the wrath of God and adopts you into God's family forever.

Instead of misery and guilt, the Lord Jesus Christ gives you mercy and grace. These are the promises of God for his people. The Word of God instructs you to believe this truth and to share it with those he has placed in your life.