Slices
Prepare
In what way do you need to encounter the power of God in your life today? Take a moment to talk to God about that.
Bible passage
Jesus drives out an impure spirit
21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 ‘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!’
25 ‘Be quiet!’ said Jesus sternly. ‘Come out of him!’ 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
27 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.’ 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Jesus heals many
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.
32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all who were ill and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Explore
In 1 John 3:8 the writer says: ‘The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.’ In today’s reading we see this truth painted for us in full technicolour. While John, writing in his letter, was looking back at what transpired through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, here Mark is giving us a snapshot of what Jesus is doing and will ultimately accomplish completely.
We see demonic forces, even in the house of God, in a man possessed by an unclean spirit (vs 23,24). This spirit recognises Jesus as ‘the Holy One of God’ and is powerless to withstand him. Next, Jesus goes to the house of Simon and Andrew and heals Simon’s mother-in-law from her fever. Later, all the sick and possessed are coming to this home because word has got out that Jesus can heal and deliver (vs 32–34).
Mark paints for us a picture that God in Christ has come to his people once more. The demonic forces that cause sickness and death are powerless to stand against him and are going to be overthrown once and for all (v 24).
Respond
Jesus came to free us from our sin, our suffering and the brokenness we experience in the world around us. Where have you seen this in your life to be true? Thank God for his goodness.
Deeper Bible study
Nothing can ‘separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’1 Thank God for this wonderful truth.
One piece of advice commonly given to budding writers is ‘show, don’t tell’: don’t, for example, tell the reader that a character is confident. Instead show it in how they behave and appear. Mark could be said to be using the ‘show, don’t tell’ principle in today’s passage because, rather than stating that Jesus is God’s Messiah, he shows it through the Lord’s actions.
First, he describes Jesus astounding those in the synagogue with his teaching. Unlike the teachers of the law, who merely passed on the insights of rabbis before them, Jesus appears to have brought fresh revelation. We aren’t told what Jesus taught them, because Mark wants the focus to be upon the authority with which he taught and where this came from. That Jesus believed he spoke with divine authority is reflected in how he introduces his teachings in the Sermon on the Mount with: ‘You have heard that it was said to the people long ago … But I tell you that …’.2
Mark also demonstrates Jesus’ authority over evil. This is reflected not simply in his ability to cast out an unclean spirit but in the ease with which he did it: a simple command and the spirit fled. That this was no mean feat is reflected in the disciples’ failure to cast a demon out of a boy later in the Gospel.3
Mark expects us, like the witnesses of these events, to be astounded at Jesus’ authority. He hoped his readers would realise that this showed Jesus to be God’s chosen one, the Messiah. Are we astounded by Jesus – or has our image of him dwindled into little more than a nice man and a good teacher? Do we really believe he has complete power and authority over evil? What difference would believing that make in our lives?
Spend time reflecting on how Jesus astounded those who witnessed his works. With this powerful picture of Christ in mind, hand to him your fears and struggles.
1 Rom 8:38,39 2 Eg Matt 5:21,22 3 Mark 9:14–29
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 27,28; Philemon 1
Pray for Scripture Union
Give thanks for SU supporters, who faithfully pray, give and get involved in reaching out to the 95. Pray for God’s blessing, provision and peace in their lives.
