Discipleship
January 31, 2021
Scripture Reading:
Mark 1:21-28
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘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.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, throwing him into convulsions and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’ At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
How does one live with fame or authority? We have watched many gifted people cave to the trappings of fame. Some turn to drugs or suicide in response, others become overbearing and dictatorial, and some are converted to idols. Jesus was schooled in handling fame when he was led into the desert after his baptism. Mark mentions this experience briefly, Mark 1:12-13, And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him. Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13 provide more detail. Jesus is tempted by the devil three times, and his responses were the guidance he would follow in his ministry when he was overcome by fame and when he was despised and rejected. The guidance is good advice for us today.
- The devil encourages turning stone into bread— Jesus responded that people do not live by bread along addressing greed.
- The devil promises that if Jesus worshipped him, the devil would give Jesus authority—Jesus replied that he would worship the Lord your God and serve him only, addressing lust for power.
- The devil said, throw yourself off the mountain and see if God would save you—Jesus said it is written not to put God to the test, affirming the faith-recognition of God’s eternal love.
Prayer: God of Love, forgive us when we are tempted by fame or the pressures of disdain. Keep our focus on your love and your vision of a world ruled by your love. Amen.
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.