Mark 1: 16 – 28
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
“Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.”
Have you tried putting yourself into the boat, your business is catching fish and that is all you know how to do, it’s what your family does to make a living? One day Jesus shows up and He rocks your boat, and Jesus says; “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Do you drop your net and follow Him, without hesitation, you just obey the call?
That moment all four of these men made a decision to be a follower of Jesus, did you stay in the boat? If not have you come to the understanding of these simple fishermen, they know that obedience is doing immediately what Jesus asks you to do. Tonight, as I lay in bed the Spirit confronted me on a statement I had made to my wife, about wearing a mask to church. I had said to her, if that is a requirement, to attend worship I will stay home, but the Lord ask me this question, when did you start making the decisions? As a follower of Christ, my job is to follow the requirement of obedience immediately.
Jesus Heals a Man with an Unclean Spirit
“And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately 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 out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.”
Mark reminds me of a young child that has learned a new word that they believe is the coolest thing in the world, his is immediately. This is the account it is the Sabbath and they have entered Capernaum and they enter the synagogue. Jesus not only begins to teach, but His teaching is with authority. He is different than the scribes, His message is not reading from the scrolls, but He is proclaiming it as if He was the author.
Now Mark uses his favorite word, “immediately” of a man with an unclean spirit confronts Jesus, now do not pass over this man has an evil spirit indwelling him. 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.” You will take notice the man is where worship is happening, and he is not there to worship God, you may want to give more thought to this point. It is also clear that the enemy of your soul knows that Jesus is God's only Son. And he also knows his time is limited, and like you and me he does not know the day of the hour.
Now when God shows up it is clear you are standing in the presence of authority, all authority. Not only was his teaching amazing, but He also had authority over the unclean spirit, and Jesus commanded it to come out of the man, and it obeys immediately.
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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