Gospel for Tuesday, January 9th

Gospel
Mk 1:21-28

Jesus came to Capernaum with his followers,
and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught.
The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;
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!”
Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!”
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
All were amazed and asked one another,
“What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

Comments:
Jesus came to Capernaum with His followers.
Alot of Jesus' ministry was around Lake Galilee. Capernaum was located on the north shore of the famous lake. Jesus was intent on entering the synagogues and bringing the truth to His chosen people the Jews. As Saint Paul says "to the Jew first and then to the Gentile". Jesus was a Jew and he loves His people to the end.

The people were astonished at His teaching. The people were always amazed at the words that flowed from the Lord Jesus lips. We will also be amazed if we listen to Him.

He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
There is no higher authority that the words of Jesus. The scribes were the people whose job it was to copy the holy scriptures. The people looked to these men as the ones who could surely teach the truth to the people. But the words of Jesus were authoritative like nothing these people have ever heard. This was God in the flesh speaking to the people.

In the synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit.
This proves that unclean evil demons can even enter places of religious worship. We should never doubt where the unseen world of evil may show up.

“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
The demons know what their final fate will be. How easy we are convinced that evil will always be with us. But the fallen angels know there time is short. We would do well to remember that they are going to be banished forever. Let us never follow them in their lies.

I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!”
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
Even if demons speak the truth - Jesus stops them and doesn't allow them to speak. He doesn't allow the father of lies to have any part in what he is doing in the world. The demons are screaching because they know they are forever fallen from the presence of God.

All were amazed and asked one another,
“What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”
His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.
The people were amazed. We will always be amazed by the power of Jesus and His authoritative teaching. We should submit ourselves constantly to listening to Him as he speaks to us everyday.

His fame is still spreading throughout the world. His kingdom will have no end. We should pray everyday - Thy kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

We can see his Lordship over all the earth. We can be participators in His kingdom today.