Feb. 4, 2015: Mark 1:21-28

We encourage you to read this devotion three times a day.  Start in the morning and reflect upon the morning reflection question. Then in the afternoon, read it again and reflect using the noon question for reflection.  For the evening, take time to ponder how this has resonated with you in the day and reflecting using the evening question.  We offer a prayer with each devotion for you to pray or we invite you to pray what is in your heart.  

 

Mark 1:21-28

21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. ²²They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. ²³Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 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.’ ²⁵But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ ²⁶And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 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.’ ²⁸At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.  
Key Verse: 1-2  And they went into Caper'na-um; and immediately on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

Reflection: 
The ministry of Jesus represents a paradigm shift for all people who claim the name of Christian.  He came as a fulfillment of many things- Son of God, Son of Man, Prophet, Redeemer, Messiah, and (as seen especially here) teacher.  In our text today we see Jesus engaging in and uplifting the idea of Sabbath.  Also, we see him with the key word "immediately" head to church.  We are all too often casual about the celebration and observance of our own Sabbath.  In our text today, and throughout the Hebrew Bible and New Testament we have a clear example to follow- Value the Sabbath.  It is critical to our faith.  Today, as you go throughout the business of the day.  Think about what it means to celebrate and be deliberate about taking a Sabbath weekly.  Think about what that might look like.  How would it change your schedule and your life?  Also, think about what might be waiting for you, in terms of your own spirituality, if you were to deepen your observance of Sabbath?

Reflection Questions:
Morning:  What might it look like to deliberately set aside time for working on your relationship with God?
Noon:  Where has Jesus been present in today?
Evening :  How has Jesus been a teacher to you?  What have you learned from him and how have you applied that to your living?

Prayer:  Redeemer and Teacher, Savior and Creator, we seek your desire for our life today.  Clarify our decisions for the day and grant us the courage to follow through with those decisions.  Wipe away our sins and grant a fullness of hope that overcomes all our guilt.  I give thanks for your hope in me.  Remind me that you will be with me every step today.  In my coming and going, you will be there.  Thank you for another day and another chance to live for you.  Amen.