Mid-Week Musings
January 24, 2024
Suggested Scripture Reading: Mark 1:21-28
Dear NBRC Family and Friends,
Jesus had called His first disciples. Jesus and His team of “evangelists in training” entered the city of Capernaum located on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. While they were there, the Sabbath came. A day of worship and rest, people went to the synagogue on the Sabbath to pray and to be taught from the Scriptures. It was customary that visiting teachers be permitted to preach upon invitation of synagogue leaders.
Not long after the visiting teacher, Jesus, began teaching, He was interrupted by one of Satan’s demons. The demon spoke to Jesus through a man in whom the demon dwelt. Knowing full well the identity of Jesus, the unclean spirit in essence said to Jesus, “Leave us alone!” (Chelsey Harmon, “Mark 1:21-28 Commentary”). Was there more than one demon in the man? Upon Jesus’ rebuke, the unclean spirit left the man. As astounded as people in the synagogue were at Jesus’ authoritative teaching, imagine how astounded they must have been at His authority over unclean spirits!
Two things in particular strike me in this story. The first is how early in their following of Jesus the disciples encountered Satan’s opposition to Him. Those who accept Jesus’ invitation to follow Him don’t have to wait long to realize how opposed Satan is not only to Jesus, but also to His disciples. The second thing I find striking is Jesus’ power over Satan and his demons. With no elaborate ceremony, but with simply His spoken word, Jesus exercised His authority and power over Satan. In today’s world that has Satan’s fingerprints all over it, God is still in control and Satan can do nothing without God allowing it. God is the ultimate authority!
The unclean spirit asked Jesus, “Have you come to destroy us?” The final end for Satan, his demons, and for evil will come when Jesus comes again. “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20b, NIV).
Pastor Ron
Prayer Suggestion: As you pray, ask God to help you fight against Satan and his demons.
(On Sunday morning, January 28, 2024, the sermon title will be Things in the Church that Can Make Satan Smile: Discouragement. The Scripture lesson will be from Psalm 77:1-20.)