Mark 1:21-28
Read Mark 1:21-28 and try to imagine that you are there listening and watching.
Before Jesus does anything miraculous, the people in the temple clearly recognize a difference in his teaching vs. the teaching of the usual rabbis and religious leaders. There is just something about the way he speaks and the words he says. They have an “authority” to them. They sound like something God would say if he were there among them. It is the “evil spirit” that blurts out what the people are beginning to wonder, “I know who you are – the Holy one of God.”
It is at this moment that Jesus displays his authority and commands the evil spirit to “come out” of the man. And the demon obeys. It is as clear as day: Jesus has dominion even over the spirit realm, and the people are amazed.
Get quiet and still for a moment and contemplate the idea of Jesus’ authority over all things. Share your thoughts about this openly with Jesus.
Read Mark 1:21-28 again.
Dallas Willard says that the voice of God has a weightiness to it that differentiates it from our own inner thoughts. Stop to consider whether you have ever sensed that a thought you had was actually from God?
In the first chapter of John’s Gospel, he refers to Jesus as the “Word” - the “logos,” or the reason behind all other reasons. Then John writes: “So the Word became flesh and made his home among us” (John 1:14). This concept is profound and multi-faceted, but It partly means that the voice of Jesus is God’s voice, so when Jesus speaks, his words contain the power to set us free from anything that is holding us captive.
This freedom from may be instantaneous or it may come over time as we repeatedly seek and ask. But you can rest assured that when you ask Jesus to speak freedom over you, he will.
Take a moment to become still and let all your thoughts settle. Then consider this question:
If Jesus has that kind of authority, would you be open to asking him to speak freedom over you today?
What might Jesus be inviting you to do today?
Will you?
Just a note: Jesus’ freedom from our habits and thoughts may be instantaneous or it may come over time. If you ask Jesus to speak freedom over you, believe that he has. Then ask again as many times as necessary. He may choose to free you by way of the repetition of your request.
