Mark 1:21-45

v21-28: Jesus showed that He came to destroy the works of the devil by rebuking the evil spirit and healing the man from it. “Surely it is in our interests to make the One who has control of evil spirits our Friend."

v29-34: Christ healed Peter’s mother-in-law completely so that she was able to serve straightaway.  We are healed of our sins so that we might serve Christ and His people for His sake.

v35-39: Jesus withdrew to a private place to pray alone, setting us an example of private prayer.  If He needed  time alone with His Father, how much more do we need to approach the throne of grace to find help and strength.

v40-45: When we have received mercy from Christ, we must then receive His commands and directions.

Mark 2:1-12

v1-12: "Sin is the dominant cause of all our pains and sicknesses. Christ’s words were intended to take the paralytic’s thoughts off the disease, which was the effect, and to lead them to the sin, which was the cause, so that he would be more concerned about that—to get that forgiven."