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
The people of Capernaum marveled at Jesus' manner of teaching. He didn't teach like the scribes, who relied on the authority of tradition. On top of that, they watched him successfully ordering unclean spirits out, giving a dramatic sign of his authority. They were impressed!
Today, we still sense the authority of God's word: for these words not only tell us something, they do something to us. For instance, when we hear the absolution in worship, we not only learn about forgiveness, but we actually experience forgiveness as God casts our sin aside and frees us from whatever bondage grips us. In our last hour God's word will have the power to call us from the grave and create us anew. These are acts of great authority and power.
So don't stand by and scratch your head trying to figure out what's going on. Hear the word from the Holy One of God, and marvel at his authority. Welcome it, but also expect that it will change you.
Prayer
We praise and worship you Heavenly Father. You have the power to save us, free us and call us to yourself. Amen.