Mark 1:21–22 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:21–22 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.
Devotion
The voice of God is hard to hear when I think I know all the answers. When Jesus began to teach in the synagogue in Capernaum, people were astounded. The lessons from the scribes had been predictable, with familiar answers to familiar questions. Jesus spoke with authority giving a new revelation of God that opened hearts to new ideas about important questions. Jesus spoke as the source of wisdom for the life and death issues that affect the soul itself. When I think I have all the answers, I forget to ask questions at all and miss the opportunity to be astounded by the living Word. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, new insights of God's mercy and might flood my soul with joy. What a blessing it is to be surprised out of my familiar notions so that I really hear what God is teaching me today.
Prayer
Good Teacher, open my heart to your living Word. You have promised to grant wisdom to those who seek you; give me today a joyful expectation of a new vision of your authority and a profound knowledge of your grace. Amen.