ON YOUR MARK: WEEK 1 DAY 4

MARK 1:21-28

JESUS HEALS A MAN WITH AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “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.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

When you were asked to do something by your parents did they say, “If it is okay with you, I mean if you are up to it, and don’t have something else you wanted to do, you don’t have to, but maybe, possibly could you make your bed?” My guess is most of our parents were more straightforward with their requests. When my parents told me to do something, they had authority; when they told me something, I was expected to listen and respond.

Jesus gives us a powerful example in this text. First, Jesus understood the Scriptures personally. Second, He ministered to those around Him by sharing what He had learned. Third, He did not discuss or debate what to do with evil, He exercised authority over it and we are called to do the same.

Jesus was fully God, and fully human. He was empowered by the Spirit of God. You are given that SAME SPIRIT when you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior. You can study the Word of God, know it personally, and share what you have been taught in order to bless others. You have authority through Christ Jesus over Satan. When evil is revealed around you, do not engage in discussion. Jesus said, “Be quiet” (Mark 1:35), and it left. We can do the same as Jesus did, but we must believe in the power we have been given.