Tuesday, February 10, 2009

February 1, 2009 "Deeds of Renowned"

Mark’s story in Chapter 1 verses 21-28 tells a story of Jesus visit to the synagogue in Capernaum with his new recruits Simon, Andrew, James and John. There is no discussion whether the 4 fishermen were regular attendees of Sabbath services at the synagogue, however Jesus was. Many focus on Mark’s dramatic account of Jesus healing a man of an unclean spirit. But this story is so much more….There are no magic wands or incantations, no gyrations or formulaic prophetic expressions spoken like: “Thus says the Lord.” First the unclean spirit interrupts and confronts Jesus saying: “I know who you are, the Holy One of God” as if calling him out to a duel. This is High Noon in the synagogue. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness in training to combat the forces of evil with which he will butt heads, as it were, throughout Mark’s gospel. In these 2 verses (25 and 26), Mark’s Jesus shows us just how ready he is!

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