[Anglican Devotional 28 February 2023] Topic: The Result Of Adequate Preparation
TOPIC: The Result Of Adequate Preparation
READ: MARK 1:22-45 (NKJV)
And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
saying, “Let [us] alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are — the Holy One of God!”
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.
Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine [is] this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.
Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.
So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.
And the whole city was gathered together at the door.
Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
And Simon and those [who were] with Him searched for Him.
When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”
And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.
Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out [His] hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once,
and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
However, he went out and began to proclaim [it] freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.
THE MESSAGE:
After spending time in the wilderness receiving the blueprint for his mission on earth, Jesus stepped out fully prepared to do the purpose of His coming and to fulfil it. Jesus did not prove who He was by bragging about it. He knew the real thing was in “the doing” and not in “talking.” From the moment Jesus started forming His team, He set out working, there was no wasting of time (John 9:4). He went where the “lost” were – to preach and heal.
Jesus amazed the people that they wondered who He was that taught with such authority. As if that was not enough, Jesus commanded an evil spirit out of a man, and it obeyed. Even evil spirits obey him? Jesus did not need to advertise himself, his works did. And as many as heard and went to Him, whatever their problems were, received solutions.
God has called each of us to do specific things for Him. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to adequately prepare us and from time to time, revert to him for refuelling. It is not by our power and not by our might, but by His Spirit. Give Him place today.
PRAYER: Thank You Father for the Holy Spirit, our Teacher and Guide, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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