Mark 1:14-28 ~ Quiet

Mark 1:14-28


English Standard Version, Max McLean Audio Bible

14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.


When people try to tell each other about a conversation, they frequently say - "It was the way it was said."

We - this generation reading Scripture - are the generation Jesus said, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Yet we have rely upon other senses, to understand this passage in depth. Jesus had a presence of Grace and Truth.

So, what lesson did Jesus teach..... to make these men want to follow Him - no persuasive sermon was given. No persuasion was used when Jesus called to the apostles to get up & change their lives... “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Why was Jesus allowed to teach in the synagogue in Capernaum? He got up and taught.

The scribes were culturally (no invalids, no non-Jews, no women near to God's presence), ethically (blind guide to Scripture not acknowledging non-Jews, their heart was far from God while giving man-made rules), religiously (allow Herod to dictate priest position), politically correct (not mention Herod's adultery) challenged. The Essenes believed the status quo had smothered the Spirit of the entire Temple. This was the unique time the LORD chose to send His Son, to visit the Temple, proclaiming we are God's Holy Temple.

What we learn from this passage. Jesus had authority. God's authority. Not just any authority, or unusual authority, yet His fame spread because of His authority. Jesus acted as God.

Father God, we bow down in worship, You are the LORD our Maker, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

To You who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!

Help us to give you our lives for Your care and mercy, Father God. Once we have repented of our sins and believe in the Gospel; Let words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our rock and redeemer. In Jesus' name. Amen.


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(Reprint from Scripture for Today Blogspot - July 10, 2010)