JULY 4, 2023 – HALLOWING THE SABBATH

READ: Mark 1: 21-28: … and imme­diately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching … Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

Jesus goes with his disciples on the Sabbath directly to the church service in Capernaum. He is given the Word and preaches about the gospel of God’s kingdom. The living Word of God is different from what they are used to hearing from the scribes. With Jesus, God’s Word opens as a power for salvation, not as human words like other pastors. The listeners are impressed with the authority with which He speaks, since He speaks in the name of the Father. He preaches the good news with the necessity of repentance and faith. 

But then in the synagogue, during the church service, there is a man who has been possessed by a demon, an unclean spirit, as was the case with many church members at that time (see, for example, verses 32-34). Satan is active, especially now that Jesus has begun His redemptive work. This demon tries to take the Word from Jesus by sowing confusion, for the listeners are impressed with the sermon but they do not believe in Him as the long-awaited Christ. 

They are amazed that a mere man can speak such words. Therefore, the words that the demon makes the man speak are confusing. Is this not Jesus of Nazareth? Who does this man think he is? After all, nothing good can come out of Nazareth (John 1:47). Moreover, the devil twists the gospel: “Have You come to destroy us, the Holy One of God?” Elsewhere, the Lord says that He is not sent to condemn but to save (John 3:17). 

But then Jesus intervenes, silences the demon, and drives him out. In this way, Jesus sanctifies the Sabbath: He drives out the great adversary. Let us be wary of the devil, as he will also try to sow confusion in the church today. God’s Word is our weapon to silence Him.

Are there still demons today?

Singing: Ps. 27:6