Day 2 - What is this, with authority?
Mark 1:16-34
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Bern Leckie writes:
Jesus is a rare leader who doesn’t just talk the talk about making the world better, but walks the walk and demonstrates the power to change things.
As you reflect on Jesus and what it’s like to follow him, what grabs your in this passage? Are you most impressed by the clarity of his calling, the wisdom of his teaching, or the power of his actions? What would you most like to see more of in your life?
It might help to think about who you relate to most in this passage. Are you like one of the people who has been touched by Jesus’ healing power, or is that what you need? Or are you more like one of the people who decided to follow Jesus, learn how this works, and get involved? Maybe you are somewhere in the crowd, interested but not sure how to commit yourself right now.
Wherever you are right now, if you would like to go with Jesus for a while to see more, ask him what he would like to show you today.