Mark 1:21-28 (NRSV)
Read Mark 1:21-28 on biblegateway.com
Verse 21They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. Verse 22They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Verse 23Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, Verse 24and he cried out, "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." Verse 25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" Verse 26And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. Verse 27They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching-with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." Verse 28At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Devotion
I wonder if being a scribe was in some ways like playing a substitute teacher on a television sitcom. It seemed that Jesus’ hearers were most astonished that Jesus brought genuine authority to his teaching. “Not as the scribes,” they said. What made the difference for them? The trappings of wealth and status? Personal charisma? A powerful speaking voice? Saying things that agreed with what they already believed? How easy it is for us also to listen to only a few voices and dismiss all the rest as not having authority. As God speaks to us through the voices of those around us, what characteristics do we use to decide whether or not to listen? How can we keep our listening “tuned up” to recognize God’s word for us? How can we train our eyes and ears and hearts to hear those who are speaking with God’s authority and not the world’s viewpoint?
Prayer
Gracious God, sometimes our ears get distracted by the noise of the world, and we fail to recognize those who speak with your authority. Give us the insight to recognize your word for us, and the faith and courage to respond to it. Amen.