This week’s devotions are based on Week 4 of the Series “Fresh Start” – I Have New Possibilities! (WATCH HERE)
Mark 1:27 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 evil spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
Jesus made an impression that day in the synagogue of Capernaum. The people there heard things they hadn’t heard before and saw things they hadn’t seen before. It’s not a surprise that news spread through the whole region.
How many times have you caught yourself saying to a friend, “Did you hear that…” when you heard something new or unexpected. Perhaps closely connected are the times when you start a conversation with the phrase, “Did you see that…”
When we hear or see something new, we are inclined to see if someone else has heard that or seen that as well.
What was so unique for the people in Capernaum is for the first time they were exposed to a Rabbi who needed no higher authority and proved his authority by casting out the demons. If nothing else Jesus was the new curiosity…at best the one others wanted to follow.
Perhaps over the years the familiarity with Jesus’ teaching and the awareness of his miracles have dulled the excitement around hearing this amazing teaching for the first time or seeing his power through the miracles for the first time. I can imagine the buzz in a town when the first gas-powered car pulled into town, or the first airplane flew overhead. The most recent “new” for me was seeing the first Tesla Cyber Truck pull into the Georgetown High School parking lot. I told my wife, but that was about it.
We don’t want to forget or fail to realize the unique authority of Jesus’ teaching and the amazing power of his work.
Why do we want to recapture the amazement everytime we engage with Jesus?
First, because his teaching is the very Word of God that changes our hearts and lives every day. The promises he gives are there to give renewed encouragement and comfort when we need them. His guidance are to move us in a direction in life that honors him and experiences the greatest blessings. His words of forgiveness are there to comfort our guilty conscience and give calm to our troubled souls. His words are there with the authority of no other as they speak truth into our hearts and lives.
Second, we are connected to the God of all power who is able and willing to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. His power is at work in us to be able to say “No!” to sin and say “Yes!” to God’s Spirit. His strength works miracles of healing and protection that doctors can’t explain. His power moves events in life to work all things for our good. His power has no greater authority so we can be confident his power is stronger than any earthly ruler and more mighty than even Satan himself.
Third, we will always have something amazing to share with the community around us. When God’s word of truth and grace is alive and fresh in our hearts, we begin to hear ourselves engage in conversation with, “Have you heard what Jesus said (did)…” and share words of hope, peace, joy, comfort, promise, encouragement, etc. It’s what happens when we are exposed to the words and works of Jesus…amazement wells up and words come out!
Apply: Take time this week to read a portion of Scripture. Ask yourself, “What if I were there the first time this was said or done? How would I feel? Respond?” Perhaps God will give you an opportunity in your day to respond as the people in Capernaum did…with amazement and no other option but to share what they heard and saw with others!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for sharing the truth of your word and the power of your work. Both create amazement in our hearts and open up possibilities in our lives. AMEN.