THE POWER OF GOD
Opening Prayer
King of Kings and Lord of Lords, there is no authority greater than yours. Thank you for humbling yourself for my sake and for conquering sin and death.
Read MARK 1:21–34
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure 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 impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
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 impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Jesus Heals Many
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 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.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
In what ways do you need to encounter the power of God in your life today? Take a moment to talk to God about that.In 1 John 3:8 the writer wrote: ‘The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.’ In today’s reading we see this truth painted for us in full technicolor. While John, writing in his letter, was looking back at what transpired through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, here Mark is giving us a snapshot of what Jesus was doing and would ultimately accomplish completely. We see demonic forces, even in the house of God, in a man possessed by an unclean spirit (vv. 23, 24). This spirit recognized Jesus as ‘the Holy One of God’ and was powerless to withstand him. Next, Jesus went to the house of Simon and Andrew and healed Simon’s mother-in-law from her fever. Later, all the sick and possessed were coming to this home because word had gotten out that Jesus could heal and deliver (vv. 32–34).
Mark paints for us a picture that God in Christ had come to his people once more. The demonic forces that caused sickness and death were powerless to stand against him and would be overthrown once and for all (v. 24).
Apply
Jesus came to free us from our sin, our suffering, and the brokenness we experience in the world around us. Where have you seen this in your life to be true?
Closing prayer
Thank you, Father, for the gift of your Son. Your goodness in my life overwhelms me at times as I consider all you have done for me.
Book and Author Intros
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