Confident Teaching
21-22 Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. They were surprised at his teaching—so forthright, so confident—not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars.

23-24 Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, “What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you’re up to! You’re the Holy One of God, and you’ve come to destroy us!”

25-26 Jesus shut him up: “Quiet! Get out of him!” The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly—and got out.

27-28 Everyone there was incredulous, buzzing with curiosity. “What’s going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and sends them packing!” News of this traveled fast and was soon all over Galilee.

29-31 Directly on leaving the meeting place, they came to Simon and Andrew’s house, accompanied by James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed, burning up with fever. They told Jesus. He went to her, took her hand, and raised her up. No sooner had the fever left than she was up fixing dinner for them.

32-34 That evening, after the sun was down, they brought sick and evil-afflicted people to him, the whole city lined up at his door! He cured their sick bodies and tormented spirits. Because the demons knew his true identity, he didn’t let them say a word.

“You’ve come to destroy us!” said the demons who spoke through a man. This thought grabs our attention this morning. The demons knew their stronghold over God’s people was going to be no match for the Son of God! The demons knew before the people…the “sheep without a shepherd”. This “new teaching that does what it says” spreads over quickly over the countryside of Galilee. “God with us” is being drawn to Truth in the person of Jesus the Christ! The Good News of salvation has come. Messiah has entered the building!

Has Jesus entered our heart, mind and soul? Is He Lord of our lives? These are questions to ask each day as we turn over all we are AND our agendas to Him.

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life–your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life–and place it before God as an offering.” Romans 12:1, The Message

Dear Heavenly Father, Today I want to avoid the sin that often entangles me and I desire to see clearly the righteous acts that You would have me to do. I pray that you would strengthen my faith as I focus on You and that You would give me the wisdom to align my priorities properly. I want my heart to be in sync with Your hear, so help me to sow righteousness in all that I do today!

Father, you have given me far more than I deserve. I return thanks to You, and I ask for wisdom and courage to invest wisely. I desire to be found “good and faithful”. Help me see today what I can give, instead of what I can receive!

Lastly Father, today I seek to forgive others as You forgave me. My desire is to have no broken relationships. Open my eyes to see the needs of those around me, and to respond appropriately. Help me to celebrate the beauty of diversity which brings such harmony into my life.

In Jesus Name, Amen! I believe.