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
Twice in this passage we learn that people were amazed at Jesus. That gives us one amazement for today, one for tomorrow.
First, is Jesus’ teaching really so amazing anymore? Many think he is just one of the many great teachers, that all religions are basically alike.
But if we listen to the central message of Jesus in this book, that is hardly the case. Who else claims to forgive sins? To be Lord of the Sabbath? Asks total strangers to “Come, follow me”? Says that one day he will come in the Father’s glory? Says that “Everyone will hate you because of me”? Announces that a dead girl is only sleeping? Says that anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it?
Is there anyone else who has ever taught such things? We continue to be amazed and we have not yet opened the Gospel of John.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, continue to teach us more about you. You are amazing. Amen.