Many things bother me, like impotent leaders or someone far too low on the corporate ladder behaving like they are the CEO. Both are often caused by the individual not knowing their place. While that can come across as harsh, it's true. It is always better to know where you fit in a given social structure.
Now consider Mark 1:21-28. The teachers had set themselves up as leaders in the Synagogue. They implemented political and social power structures to insulate their positions. Yet they were powerless when confronted by "unclean spirits".
By contrast, Jesus arrives on the scene with a resume that includes creating the universe! But He arrives merely as a man. He didn't need power structures to establish His authority. His Presence shook the unclean spirits enough that they cried out to Him and obeyed His commands.
What a shocking approach! The teachers had not been prepared for such authority. It was, after all, outside of their control.
Now consider that same authority has been given to us (Matthew 28:18-20). We are not the CEO. We have work to do and must prepare for and perform it diligently. But we have been blessed with His authority while here on earth and given the task of tending to and expanding His Kingdom.
Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26, Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17, Luke 5:27-32, Matthew 9:14-17, Mark 2:18-22, Luke 5:33-39, John 5:1-47
2 comments:
A good reminder that we have been given the task of spreading His word and helping others to know Him and commit their lives to Him. Often feel over loaded with everyday tasks of work and kids activities, which are important, but need to remember that living for God and helping others to know Him, counts as most important, because it's results have permanent effects.
Tremendous power and authority indeed!
One of the things I love about Jesus' miracles is that they were miracles of compassion. He didn't just heal the leper, he physically touched him when he did so. How long must it have been since this leper experienced the touch of another human being?! And now, that touch was the very hand of God!
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