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
Yesterday we were amazed at Jesus’ teaching. Today it is his miracles. If we were to take a time machine and journey back there, we would be in for a number of surprises. Apparently demon possession was common then. Today we mostly call it mental illness and treat it with medication.
But Jesus was an exorcist, healing a demon-possessed man. If Jesus were among us today, would he heal people right and left? Would pharmaceutical companies try to get rid of him as his opponents did long ago? Could he convince us of the reality of Satan and his underlings? Or do God and Jesus just accommodate themselves to each culture in every age?
In any case, we should expect surprises as Jesus comes into our lives. Things will happen that we consider impossible. That’s why we look forward to “that day” to come, which some folks just can’t believe will ever happen.
Prayer
Lord, we need a miracle every now and then. Can we count on you? Amen.