The Saturday after the First Sunday after the Epiphany of our Lord
Posted on January 17, 2026 by under
Scripture: St. Mark 1:21-28 (NKJV)
1:21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 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!”
25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, 9“What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.
Devotion
There is most certainly demonic influence in congregations. Where people try to gather in the name of the Lord, the demons definitely want to infiltrate these groups and stir up rebellion. The possessed man cries out in petulance, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us?” Some faithful pastors have heard similar reactions from congregations in our own time! And even though such people say with their lips, “Jesus is the Holy One of God!”, they do not love or trust in Him. They fear Him, but they refuse to sincerely honor Him.
The Bride of Christ, His holy and faithful people who are gathered in the congregations of His Church, are characterized by sincere humility, love, and obedience. His people do not scream at His servants to “Leave us alone!” when Law and discipline is proclaimed. They repent, observe His commands, and do the works of loving service that are prepared for them by God.
The devil is active throughout the world, but his attacks in the midst of those gathered in the Lord’s name are especially dangerous. People are taught to be self-important, defiant towards authority, and dishonest in the name of their piety. But the true Church trusts in Jesus Christ for our forgiveness and peace, and we love and serve others, even our enemies, out of faithful obedience to Him.
Collect: O Lord, we beseech Thee mercifully to receive the prayers of Thy people who call upon Thee; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfill the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
