WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: When we come to God it is not just our minds he is looking to engage but every part of us. As you come to his Word today spend a minute kneeling with your face to the floor (or sitting head bowed if you can’t kneel). In changing your physical posture focus your mind on God’s greatness and your place before him as beloved servant, child and friend. No ordinary teacher In these verses we begin to build the picture of Jesus. We’ve already seen him act as Rabbi, calling disciples to follow him. Here he continues, turning up in the synagogue on the Sabbath to teach. But Jesus is no ordinary teacher. People are struck by his authority, so different from the other teachers (v 22). Acting with authority Mark makes it clear though that Jesus is not simply a great teacher; this dramatic encounter between an evil spirit who knows Jesus’ true identity and Jesus who silences and expels it demonstrates Jesus’ authority on a whole new level. Again this is about Jesus’ identity. He is the Messiah, the Son of God. His words are authoritative but his actions speak louder. Respond: What voices hold the most authority for you? Who do you always listen to? We can often absorb the messages of media and culture without realising and find ourselves submitting to their instruction. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the authorities in your life and submit yourself again to Jesus the Lord. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-01-19