Mark 1:21-28 (The Message)
21 Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. 22 They were surprised at his teaching - so forthright, so confident - not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars. 23 Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, 24 "What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you're up to! You're the Holy One of God, and you've come to destroy us!" 25 Jesus shut him up: "Quiet! Get out of him!" 26 The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly - and got out. 27 Everyone there was incredulous, buzzing with curiosity. "What's going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and sends them packing!" 28 News of this traveled fast and was soon all over Galilee.
There are two places to stand in this text: With the people who were amazed or with the man possessed by an evil spirit, who experienced the power of Jesus Words.
We probably see ourselves with the first choice - for we are not demon possessed! Yet it is the demonic who goes home with something. So what might it mean if we stood with him?
It would mean we have our own demons which need to be recognized and confessed. Obvious ones: alcohol, drugs, tobacco, caffeine, money,; less obvious: greed, pride, selfishness, dishonesty, lust for power and prestige. We need to be exorcised, cleansed, changed if we are to “put on the new nature”, that is, if we are to put on “compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, for bearing one another, and forgiving each other, ...putting on love...”
We have our own demons
which need to be
recognized and confessed.
Prayer thoughts for the week: “Lord, help me recognize my own demons, confess them, and be set free, ‘putting on love’.”
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