Opening Prayer
King of Kings and Lord of Lords, there is no authority greater than yours. Thank you for humbling yourself for my sake and for conquering sin and death.
Read MARK 1:21–34
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Jesus Heals Many
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.
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.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
Nothing can ‘separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’1 Thank God for this wonderful truth.
Think Further
One piece of advice commonly given to budding writers is ‘show, don’t tell’: don’t, for example, tell the reader that a character is confident. Instead show it in how they behave and appear. Mark could be said to be using the ‘show, don’t tell’ principle in today’s passage because, rather than stating that Jesus is God’s Messiah, he shows it through the Lord’s actions.
First, he describes Jesus astounding those in the synagogue with his teaching. Unlike the teachers of the law, who merely passed on the insights of rabbis before them, Jesus appears to have brought fresh revelation. We aren’t told what Jesus taught them, because Mark wants the focus to be upon the authority with which he taught and where this came from. That Jesus believed he spoke with divine authority is reflected in how he introduces his teachings in the Sermon on the Mount with: ‘You have heard that it was said to the people long ago … But I tell you that …’.2
Mark also demonstrates Jesus’ authority over evil. This is reflected not simply in his ability to cast out an unclean spirit but in the ease with which he did it: a simple command and the spirit fled. That this was no mean feat is reflected in the disciples’ failure to cast a demon out of a boy later in the gospel.3
Mark expects us, like the witnesses of these events, to be astounded at Jesus’ authority. He hoped his readers would realize that this showed Jesus to be God’s chosen one, the Messiah. Are we astounded by Jesus – or has our image of him dwindled into little more than a nice man and a good teacher? Do we really believe he has complete power and authority over evil? What difference would believing that make in our lives?
Apply
Spend time reflecting on how Jesus astounded those who witnessed his works. With this powerful picture of Christ in mind, hand to him your fears and struggles.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, your goodness has overwhelmed me at times as I experienced you at work in me and through me. Help me remember your faithfulness and to stand firm in the faith I have been given.
Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by kingstar
