Post by Woody Williams on Jan 29, 2023 8:22:00 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Mark 1:21-28
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They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the
synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he
taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just
then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and
he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have
you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." But
Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"
And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out
of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another,
"What is this? A new teaching — with authority! He commands even the
unclean spirits, and they obey him." At once his fame began to spread
throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Devotional
----------
The Gospel of Mark focuses on the actions of Jesus more than the
teachings of Jesus. Also, it focuses primarily on the last week of
Jesus' life. Half of the Gospel is devoted to the last week of Jesus'
life with an emphasis on the cross. In Mark you get the sense that
Jesus' ministry centers on overcoming the power of evil by his death.
That victory is foreshadowed in the several exorcisms that Jesus
performs as in the text above. Jesus demonstrates the power of God
over these demonized persons by cleansing them with his authority.
The crowd is amazed at his authority and power and Jesus notoriety
grew. Jesus demonstrates that Christianity is more than words, but
has to do with spiritual power as well. Jesus comes out on top in
this confrontation as well as his final victory on the cross.
Prayer
-------
Gracious God, you are the Strong One. Help me to look to you in every
conflict with evil. Amen
----------
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the
synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he
taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just
then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and
he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have
you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." But
Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"
And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out
of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another,
"What is this? A new teaching — with authority! He commands even the
unclean spirits, and they obey him." At once his fame began to spread
throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Devotional
----------
The Gospel of Mark focuses on the actions of Jesus more than the
teachings of Jesus. Also, it focuses primarily on the last week of
Jesus' life. Half of the Gospel is devoted to the last week of Jesus'
life with an emphasis on the cross. In Mark you get the sense that
Jesus' ministry centers on overcoming the power of evil by his death.
That victory is foreshadowed in the several exorcisms that Jesus
performs as in the text above. Jesus demonstrates the power of God
over these demonized persons by cleansing them with his authority.
The crowd is amazed at his authority and power and Jesus notoriety
grew. Jesus demonstrates that Christianity is more than words, but
has to do with spiritual power as well. Jesus comes out on top in
this confrontation as well as his final victory on the cross.
Prayer
-------
Gracious God, you are the Strong One. Help me to look to you in every
conflict with evil. Amen