Saturday, February 21, 2015

Today’s Reading  |  Mark 1:21–28
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They 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.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. (NRSV)

Reflection
When I read this passage from Mark, I was struck by the intrusion of the man with the unclean spirit into what was, or should have been, a holy place, the synagogue. But sin and evil can show up anywhere, and this presence does us a great service, challenging Jesus and offering us a striking way to understand the boundless power of God in our lives. As he so often does, Jesus defies the conventional wisdom. He demonstrates a new reality, preempting the understanding of the day that only those with vested interpretive power, the rabbis, and even the prophets before them, were the pathway to God. This is not so, as the spirit to be cast out so directly acknowledges: “I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” Isn’t it remarkable that it is this spirit who so clearly recognizes Jesus’ authority? And Jesus’ response was dramatically simple and effective. There was no lengthy debate. No ritual. No reticence to act. No preaching. And no self-aggrandizement. No wonder they were amazed.

Which leads me to think about NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams—and the rest of us. I think we confuse what it means to have authority. Authority comes with the obligation of humility, because any authority we may have is borrowed. Ours comes from a diploma or some credentials, experiences or training, an organization chart or a management structure. And we are often willing to give it to others, whether they are the ancient scribes or the anchorman. Mark helps us to know that there is but one to whom we should give ourselves, the one who has authority even over death.

Prayer
Lord, help me be confident and trusting in your power, wisdom, and eternal loving authority. Teach me to know the freedom of giving over myself to you. And let me be amazed. Amen.

Written by Kenneth Ohr, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

Devotion index by date | I’d like to receive daily devotions by email