“All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”
Robert Fulgham wrote about the simple lessons he learned. He wrote:
- Share everything.
- Play fair.
- Do not hit people.
- Put things back where you found them.
- Clean up your own mess.
- Do not take things that are not yours.
- Say you are sorry when you hurt somebody.
- Wash your hands before you eat.
- Flush.
- Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
- Live a balanced life - learn some and drink some and draw some and paint some and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
- Take a nap every afternoon.
- When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.
- Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
- Goldfish and hamster and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
Peter (and the other disciples) is in kindergarten. Jesus teaches him four basic lessons. They are the lessons Peter will continue to learn through the years. We likewise must learn these lessons.
First Lesson: Jesus has the power to heal. Mark 1:29-31
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.]
Jesus has started His ministry. Jesus has called peter to be a follower. Peter, the Rock, now begins to follow and learn from the Master.
The first lesson comes from a surprising source. Upon arriving at his home Peter learns that his mother-in-law is sick. She is bedridden with a fever.
Jesus approaches her and with a simple and gentle motion helps her to her feet. No big commotion. No attention called to His actions. A simple touch. He speaks to the fever and helps her up.
She is completely and instantly healed. She is so fully healed that she is immediately able to minister to Jesus.
The lesson for Peter is a simple one. Jesus is greater than any sickness. He can heal anyone but does not heal everyone. Some are ultimately healed in heaven; others are allowed to keep their thorns in the flesh.
Second Lesson: Jesus has the Power Over Demons (Verses 32-34)
32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Later that evening Jesus is surrounded by people seeking healing. Of course they were coming. Jesus demonstrated so much power over sickness. Out of the darkness people came for healing.
Mark here introduces the truth that people came who were demon possessed. Jesus was able to drive the demons out.
The interesting note added here is that Jesus would not permit the demons to tell who He was. Of course, they knew who He was. Jesus reigned with the Father on the throne before the incarnation. He is eternally divine.
These demons are the fallen angels who lived with God in Heaven. They had worshipped Jesus before they were cast to the earth. They recognized Him from the beginning. James tells us that the demons believe in Jesus and tremble (James 2:19). But Jesus refused to allow them to speak about who He is. He will reveal Himself at the right time.
Peter learned the lesson that no evil is greater than Jesus is. We live in a world filled with evil. We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against the power of evil. But Jesus is greater. The enemy of our souls must be respectfully disrespected.
Third Lesson: A Servant Seeks the Will of God (Verse 35)
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Jesus’ next lesson for Peter is a lesson on the importance of prayer. At this critical juncture Jesus would determine what kind of Messiah He would be. He could spend His energies drawing the crowd.
On what seemed like an ordinary morning Jesus got up before daylight and prayed. Jesus was a man of prayer and a man who invested in studying God’s Word. Luke tells in 5:16 that getting up and praying was normal for Jesus.
Peter learned a subtle lesson from Jesus at this moment. He learned that He needed to seek the leadership of the Father. To submit to the Father’s direction Jesus had to first talk to the Father and listen for His leadership.
Fourth Lesson: A Servant Goes Where the Master Leads (Verses 36-39)
36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” 38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
This lesson comes to Peter more directly. He sought out Jesus. He knew the crowds were gathering again. He trusted that Jesus would want to speak to the crowds, would want His popularity to grow.
Here the Rock seems to be trying to step up for the first time. His words almost sound like he is chiding Jesus, “Everyone is looking for you.” Is Peter suggesting that Jesus is making a mistake by not meeting the needs of the people? Regardless His intentions, Peter’s words were misguided.
Jesus refuses to get caught up on the growing popular movement. He demonstrated to Peter that He would follow God’s direction. He left the crowds and ministered in the surrounding areas.
Of course, Peter will spend the rest of the time walking with Jesus learning this lesson. Peter and all the disciples who came after him must learn this lesson. We must go exactly where God leads. We must follow the direction of our Master.
Lessons we learn from listening in:
- Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. The lessons are the same.
- Receive His promises.
- Follow His leadership and example.
