Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Saturday after the First Sunday after the Epiphany of our Lord

Posted on January 16, 2021 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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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, “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
 
How many times have we read in Scripture about the scribes and Pharisees failing to recognize Jesus as true God? In yesterday’s reading we heard of just how incensed they were with Jesus; so much so, that they were ready to stone Him to death. Yet in today’s reading we hear “an unclean spirit” call out to Jesus, “I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
 
It can be puzzling to us as Christians why some people refuse to believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. After all, even the unclean spirit recognized Jesus. Yet, his recognition was not a confession of faith, but simply the realization he was, as they say, “toast”. For the unbeliever, this realization will come to fruition on the Last Day.
 
But what of you? There are those times when the Law comes to bear and you may think, “I am toast!” But the work of the Holy Spirit does not stop with God’s Law. The chastisement of the Law only serves to bring you low so God can raise you up through the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ. God will not leave you without hope, for you are in Christ and are His beloved child.
 
Prayer: 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. Amen.
 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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