Mark 1:21-28 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:21-28 on biblegateway.com
Verse 21They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. Verse 22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Verse 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, Verse 24and 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." Verse 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" Verse 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. Verse 27They 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." Verse 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Devotion
There is something a bit threatening about our God. In this gospel lesson from Mark, Jesus is just beginning to show the world the kind of kingdom he has come to build. This is certainly not the teaching the people of Capernaum expected to hear when they got up for synagogue that morning. The authority that Jesus claims here threatens the establishment and the people became afraid — afraid of losing that which has become familiar and perhaps even more afraid of seeing God in a different light.
Today when we proclaim God’s reign of peace and justice, many are still threatened and wish life to remain as it is. But when Jesus sees the pain of an unjust world, he works to remedy it. And we his followers are called to claim his authority and work for justice.
Prayer
Dear Lord, give us courage to be justice-seekers in a world of injustice and pain. May we be bold to work for your kingdom. Amen.