Reading 5: The Gospel According to Mark 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. Context & Questions: Jesus met his people where they were. He is fully immersed in the Judaism of his time. He begins his ministry in the synagogue, teaching like the rabbis taught. At once Jesus is confronted by an evil spirit. Immediately in this story we have evidence of what’s happened to our world. Evil has come and taken up residence here. But evil knows when it is in the presence of a greater power. Jesus has come to fight Israel’s deeper spiritual battle, and he comes with authority. This is a sign of the greater battle yet to come. Next up: What the new world looks like
Posted on: Fri, 02 May 2014 20:01:28 +0000
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