April 4

Mark 1:21-34 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

Mark 1:22-27, 30-31
22And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23And 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." 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27And 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."

30Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

Observation

Jesus ceased every opportunity to teach the Word of God. He taught with authority because of His relationship with God. He knew God intimately as He came from God as His Son. Not just head knowledge or the tradition of the rabbis, as the scribes taught but with first hand, heart knowledge, having been with God, from the beginning, when man was created, He knew the full intent of the Scriptures.

Mark gives the account of Jesus healing a man with unclean spirit as the first miracle. Why this miracle and not healing from a physical illness? Perhaps to emphasize the constant battle between the forces of evil and of righteousness but that Jesus is more powerful than Satan and his demons. This man was obviously in the synagogue attending the services on the Sabbath but the evil spirit had been dwelling in Him. At the presence of Jesus, the evil spirit spoke up. The demons knew Jesus had the power to destroy them because they knew who Jesus was, “the Holy One of God.” Jesus heals the spiritually oppressed man with power and authority, casting out the unclean spirit with just a rebuke, a command, “Be silent and come out from him!” Mark seems to emphasize that Jesus’ miracle of casting out evil spirit was to reveal His power over the spiritual realm because He is the Son of God, therefore, He can teach about God with authority.

I see a warning here for today as well. We cannot assume all is well with our spirit just because we attend church or even serve. Until that personal encounter with Jesus, and He cleanses us, we cannot rest assured. It is through the power of Jesus and the faith in what He has done on the cross and the victory of the resurrection that Satan or his demons no longer can have us captive.

Not only does Jesus have the power and authority over the spiritual forces but also over the physical realm, in this case, of physical diseases and affliction. He heals many but I think Mark inserts the detail account of the healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law to give us some insight as to how Jesus heals. When Jesus and the disciples arrive at Simon’s house, they find his mother-in-law in bed sick with fever and immediately, they go to Jesus asking for help (Luke 4:38b). With compassion and tenderness, Jesus came to her bedside (v31), took her by the hand, lifted her up with His gentle healing touch and the fever left her. As soon as she was up, she began to serve them. The healing was so complete and produced such thankfulness that she did not stay in bed to recuperate but went to serve Jesus and the disciples (probably the Sabbath meal).

Application

There are four truths I see in these passages: 1. Jesus’ Words have power and authority because He is the Son of God. 2. Jesus has the power to free us from the bondage of demonic forces including sin. 3. I can turn to God in time of need. He listens to prayers and answers them with compassion and tenderness. 4. A return to wholeness should bring about thankfulness and love for God as to serve Him and others.
I need to trust and obey Jesus' Words because it reveals the heart of God. I can choose to be guided by the Holy Spirit or choose to be defiant against God and give in to sin. I can always come to Jesus with my requests and He will answer them in His perfect timing. I need to “get up” to serve Him and His people without excuses.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for freeing me from the bondage of sin because of His shed blood and the victory over Satan by His resurrection. Please keep me filled with the Holy Spirit so that when I am tempted, sin will not have power over me. Thank you that I can always come to you for help and tell you everything because you always hear my prayers and you answer according to your perfect timing. Please give me physical strength that I may serve You and your people always. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

--Kathleen Hong