Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

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Read

Mark 1:21-28 (NRSV)

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, convulsing him 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.

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Reflect

I was driving through a strange city not long ago and saw vinyl letters on the back of a late model white work van that said, “Jesus is the answer.” I found myself wondering out loud, “What is the question?” Unfortunately, the question was not on that van. I looked. I certainly have lots of questions these days. What will come of the North Korea situation? How can we fix our health care system? How can we be better stewards of our environment? Will a day come when the promises of equality in our country can actually be realized?

I think those in the synagogue were onto something back in Caperaum, and I like to think the guy in the white van discovered it, too. Perhaps they recognized that, in encountering Jesus, there is indeed a transformative authority at work. Jesus shows us that there is more to sharing faith than a tired retelling of stories. It is a hands-on way of life that sees us interacting with our neighbors. Maybe the question is, “Where can we see God breaking into this world and doing a new thing?”

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Pray

Jesus help us to look for you, discover you, and follow your example. Please do a new thing in us. Amen.

Go with God.