Sorry for being so late, but the web hosting site was down for two weeks.
Where did we leave off? Jesus and the Sabbath! The Bible gives us many passages of Jesus and the Sabbath. There are no passages or any references to the first day of the week being set apart for worship. Jesus is seen on many Sabbaths going to the synagogue.
Early in His ministry, just after He called some of His first disciples, we find this event recorded in Mark.
Mark 1:21 They *went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach.
This was His custom; teaching on the Sabbath.
1:22 They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Everyone was always amazed at Jesus’ teaching. He taught like no other. Of course, He inspired the entire Bible and being God could teach as no one else could. We are still often amazed at what God reveals to us as we study His word.
1:23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 1:24 saying, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!"
Two things stand out. First, within the synagogue was a demon possessed man! It is most likely that even today, many churches have demon possessed men leading and teaching. Second, these demons know Jesus and know what He has promised and prepared for them. They tremble at what they know.
James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
If they shudder, what should we do when we seriously contemplate our God?
1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" 1:26 Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him.
Who do demons obey, other than their evil leader Satan? God is still and will always be totally sovereign over all HE created. They must obey when commanded.
1:27 They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him."
The people had never experienced this before. Unclean spirits and demon possession were familiar to them. We tend to dismiss them as improbable and no longer viable. But, this is not the case. Satan has not stopped controlling key people through his demonic army.
1:28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.
What spread? His teaching or His commanding demons to obey Him?
Miracles tend to take precedent over doctrine far too often.
More next time.