What Is This?

Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.  Mark 1:26-28

The unclean spirits had to obey, but Jesus began His ministry to a group that could be unbelieving, unfaithful, ignorant, foolish, opposing, and even murderous to new prophets. The stones were seldom far from the hands of the Jewish people of Galilee and Judea. The unclean spirits knew who He was, but Jesus didn't want their testimony. Instead for about three years, Jesus would face humanity at its worst, and in time He would lay down His life for them. For all that the Jews of this time will do, at this moment in scripture the Lord Jesus comes to them as a big question: What is this? 

Asking is a good start, but believing in Him is a better finish,

Bucky

They Knew Who He Was

Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” Mark 1:23-24

Last night I watched a drone swoop and spin over a neighborhood to the north of my house. The LED lights on it were visible in the evening light from several blocks away. A few moments later, I had the thought that 50 years ago this same performance would have had people snapping out-of-focus photos and taking grainy video footage while their spouses were on the phone with the police and US Air Force. Some of that media might have even made it to a congressional hearing in Washington D.C. Technology advances and we take what was once a sensation with nonchalance.

As Jesus began His ministry in Capernaum of Galilee, one of the sensations in that time was people with unclean spirits, or demon-possessed persons. The Pharisees and scribes of the synagogue were apparently ineffective in dealing with the problem as the man sat right in the synagogue as Jesus spoke His word. However the unclean spirit did have something to say, and it testified of its special knowledge of Jesus. Aaannd... it had some shade to cast on our Lord's mission on earth, "Did You come to destroy us?" Not us as in to wipe out its kind, but us as in to destroy the people/town of Capernaum or even all of Israel. Since, with evil help such as that, everyone knew that God had it in for Israel.

The story for those who believe in Jesus though turns quickly to victory. As we know that in a hot scriptural minute that unclean spirit goin' be tossed right out o' there!

Praise God for His sovereign authority!

Bucky

Crank Up The Start

Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Mark 1:21-22

A person may have enjoyed the privilege of jumping onboard an organization or company at or near the start of things. How a thing begins often affects its history for years and decades. People may talk of the old times and how things were back in the day. And if things go wonky, those memories may be tinged with longing and a regret for how changes have made what was beloved into something begrudged. They may even feel betrayed. {Oy, you with the 'be' words - behave!}

Jesus seems in Mark's good news to begin His ministry at a place least likely to need it, a synagogue. And yet, the people in the synagogue at Capernaum that Sabbath received a special privilege and a teaching by an authority. So much different from the normal was our Lord's teaching that they were astonished. It would appear that one with authority can strike an organization suddenly and with great effect.

Praise God for Jesus striking our lives for good!

Bucky

Leaving The Nest

When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.  Mark 1:19-20

With a prosperous and cheerfully-named father, the sons of Zebedee probably saw their future lined out before them until that day. Mending nets may not have been their favorite part of the job, but equipment maintenance must be done or the equipment fails when it's needed most. However, their mending net days were about to go on a long pause. Did they look down the coast and see Jesus call Andrew and Simon? Maybe, but the calling of James and John came next, and they dropped the nets to follow this new rabbi. 

We can see from the gospels - and the Revelation (heh, look out below, John!) - the amount that the brothers did not know that day was huge. They left the nest to follow not just any rabbi, but the messiah foretold in a host of prophecies. The brothers would come to believe in Him, while most of their nation would remain hardened of heart and unbelieving. Oh, but the signs they would see on this journey and the words they would hear from the Christ!

Love and joy to you in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Bucky

That's What You Want?

And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Mark 1:16-18

Baptized by John, acknowledged by God, tempted by Satan, and now Jesus begins the ministry of a rabbi by selecting some disciples. Fishermen...that's what you want? Smelly, sweaty, swearing, fishermen for your students of the word? We know from the scripture that Jesus took two pairs of brothers from the fishing trade, no word on sending them to the showers first, and began His ministry. Before His selection one might have expected scribes from Jerusalem, young Pharisees just out of Pharisee U, and maybe even a Sadducee or two to resurrect once or twice just for fun. Jesus made His own selections in obedience of the Father, and they were pretty much like you and me. Working folks and people in need of His salvation.

Praise God for that!

Bucky

They Had Expectations; He Began A Kingdom

Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” John 1:35-36

John gave Jesus an introduction. Immediately faith is tested by Jesus. Lamb of God?

"Sir, we were rather hoping for a lion to drive the tax collectors away," the Jerusalem dwellers indicated to the newly heralded Lamb of God by way of their expectations.

Two of John's disciples were listening though, and they followed Jesus. The kingdom of God had arrived and now had its first two subjects, plus John. It may seem to be a small start for something that will in time have a multitude which no one can number coming out of the great tribulation. Even John would soon decrease to the point of being gone when Herod had him executed. The number Jesus was looking for at the start was small though, and His presence guaranteed a certain quality. One of these disciples would come to betray the Lord Jesus just a short time later. The newly born kingdom had its setbacks, all of which fulfilled prophecy.

He began a small but growing kingdom that day!

Bucky

Good News Time

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”  Mark 1:14-15

Mark tells us that Jesus took up where John the Baptizer left off, preaching the kingdom of God and repentance. But the big question across the states this morning is: Did Jesus have winter? Circumstances can intrude and lead us away from the message of our Lord. In Galilee as Jesus took up the good news, some likely looked around at their circumstance and wondered what good news there was to believe in. Occupying Roman soldiers still around, greedy tax collectors still in place, and maybe it was the season of not-summer too. Good news, did you say? Of course a little study in the word reminds us that His good news wasn't worldly good news but a forgiveness of sin and a propitiation arriving to save us. 

Blessed by the Son of God!

Bucky

From Temptation To Celebration?

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” John 2:1-3

A problem for a celebration, and Jesus had just refused to turn rocks into bread at the temptation of the devil. The temptation was to use power to serve himself. The celebration had a problem that needed solving, and the mother of Jesus turned it over to him. Jesus had a choice, and doing nothing was an option. Or was it? In many instances during His ministry our Lord could have done nothing, but didn't. Compassion seemed to be a primary characteristic of our Lord's journey through the lands of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. People needed help and the Lord Jesus gave it. But not just the minimum. Jesus might have sent the disciples out to purchase enough wine to get by, but He didn't. Instead we get to read of a miracle. Water became wine, and it was good wine too according to the experienced master of the feast.

Sometimes we accept the raising of Lazarus, the healing of blind Bartimaeus, but then struggle to believe this wine miracle. According to John, this was the beginning of the signs. We dare not let the devil take away the beginning, lest we find ourselves unbelieving at the ending.

Bucky