Mark 1: 21-28

²¹ They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²² The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. ²³ Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, ²⁴ “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”²⁵ “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” ²⁶ The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.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 impure spirits and they obey him.” ²⁸ News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

You Are the Holy One of God

Jesus, the Holy One of God, the One who is worthy to open the scroll and break the seal. (Revelations 5:2, paraphrase)

Although Jesus was the Son of God, he did not tell people who he was, it was not the right time to do so. Jesus left all his glory in heaven and came to earth to save mankind. He did not want to be distracted from the work God the Father sent him to do. The devil being cunning, uses all means to distract people from the salvation Jesus brings to them. Why does he do this? An example that could happen in today’s world could be: If you knew the postman bringing your parcel was Jesus, what would you do? You would not only invite him in for coffee, you would even ask him to stay for lunch and so would distract him from his work. 

This is exactly what the devil through the man with the evil spirit was trying to do; announce Jesus so that the people would worship him and distract Jesus’ attention from God, the Father’s work. Jesus simply quieted the man and removed the evil spirit from him. The people glorified God because of this and followed Jesus.

How many times have we become full of pride because of one or two things that we are good at? Our purpose here on earth is to use what we are good at to glorify God by helping others.

Whatever we are good at, be it teaching, pastoring, managing, or cleaning, let’s do it to glorify God.

Prayer: Dear God and heavenly Father, you sent your Son to save mankind. We, your children, are kneeling before you today. Forgive our shortcomings and remove any spirits which are blocking us from knowing you, just as you removed it from this man in the synagogue. All glory belongs to you, Father God. We thank you in the name of Jesus.