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 I asked what you expect when you come to worship. So what do you think Jesus expects? For hearts to be transformed or minds to be changed? For hungry mouths to be fed and thirsty souls quenched? Do we meet his expectations when we show up to worship, or when we preach?
Maybe Jesus knew what was coming when he got up to teach in Capernaum. He doesn’t seem fazed by the appearance of the evil spirit. There’s no apparent concern for the holy disruption, no fear of what people might say afterwards. No, Jesus takes it in stride. He simply does what he does best: meets people where they are, names their deepest need, and takes it on himself.
I think that’s what Jesus does with us, too. He expects us to come with our heavy burdens. He expects to confront the demons that consume us. He expects to open our eyes, shake up our placid hearts, upset our orderly lives, and change us from the inside out. Why should Jesus expect anything less? Why should we?
Prayer
Jesus, what do you expect of me today? Help me remember that whatever it is, you are there to guide me. Amen.