Mark 1 verse 21 – 28

Introduction:

Marks’ gospel is believed to be the earliest of four gospels and largely composed of the memories of the apostle Peter. It is very precise in its narrative dealing firstly with Jesus’ Galilean ministry and ending with the events in Jerusalem leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection. There is no record of the birth of Jesus, the gospel commences with the introduction of John the Baptist, his baptizing of Jesus and then his ministry around the Galilee area.

Jesus Teaches:

21:  They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.

Capernaum was the hometown of Peter and his relatives as it was next to the sea. Jesus made his base there. It was customary to attend the synagogue on the Sabbath and not unusual for a visiting rabbi to be asked to read the scriptures and preach from them.  Mark does not tell us what he taught them although we know from Luke’s gospel what he might have said,

Luke 4 verse 16 – 21

16:  He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read.

17:  The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18:  “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,

19:  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

20:  Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him,

21:  and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

In Capernaum the people were amazed as his teaching had authority unlike the teachers of the law who quoted Moses the prophets, and the many rabbis’ opinions but had no authoritative statement to make of their own.

Mark makes the point from the very beginning of his account of Jesus’ ministry that here was a man who had an exceptional gift of insight into the human condition and was able to reveal the loving heart of God towards his people through the scriptures.

Jesus heals:

23:  Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out,

24:  “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!”

25:  “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!”

26:  The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

Mark now introduces a theme that runs through his Gospel, that of the battle Jesus waged against the forces of evil. It was the presence of Jesus in the synagogue and his words that aroused the evil spirit within the  man.

The idea of people having demons is a contentious issue in our western church with our long history of Christianity but in our church in London once members of minority communities started to get converted demon possession as opposed to mental illness became an occasional issue and the ability to discern the difference became crucial.

Under the guidance of a minister experienced in this field we learned that persistent prayer in the name of Jesus and a willingness to confront the evil spirit brought spiritual healing for the person involved.

Jesus’ experience in Capernaum as in many later confrontations shows us that although humans may not recognise the power and authority of Jesus the evil spirits certainly did, and still do, and cannot resist the authoritative command in Jesus’ name to leave.

The people’s reaction:

. 22:  The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

27:  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 evil spirits and they obey him.”

28:  News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

The people’s reaction to both Jesus’ teaching and his power to bring healing was one of amazement. They could see his power and authority and yet at this stage it did not inspire them to faith as they had no clear vision of who Jesus really was.

Our reaction:

We, on the other hand, have the privilege of hindsight, knowing who Jesus is and knowing what he has done for us on Calvary. Don’t you think we should be just as amazed as those people observing Jesus in Capernaum, that God’s love should so great as to send his only Son to be our Saviour and friend. Don’t you think that we should be moved to faith in such a God of Love and Grace?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank you that you loved us so much that you sent Jesus to be our Saviour and Lord. Help us by your Spirit to love you with all our hearts, to love our neighbours as our ourselves and to be obedient to your New Commandment to love each other as Jesus loved us. In his name we pray. Amen.


Category: Prayers , Sermons , The Bridge

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