The Pilgrim Path---The Gospel of Mark 1: 21-28 (3-29-20)

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.

---Jesus, the Divine Son teaches like no other. Have you recognized this yet?

---Think of The Sermon on The Mount: The Lord Jesus would say, "You have heard it said...but I say unto you"---This is the God-Man talking---and He is not merely giving advice...

---Jesus often indicated that he had no will---he only came to accomplish and "reveal" the will of The Father---has this dawned upon you?

---Jesus shows power most intriguing---and most invincible---by healing the man with an unclean spirit

---"The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil" First John 3:8

---Wow: the demons are rattled and shaken by the Christ of God. "Have you come to finish us off---HOLY ONE OF GOD"---Jonathan Edwards used to ask his hearers, "How much more do I have to tell you about Jesus Christ before you believe the truth concerning Him and rely upon Him for life and peace?"

---"Silence---and LEAVE"---Then the Rule of Jesus, The Living Christ begins! That is ultimately "how" it will be "all" over the world. Thanks be to God!

---The Labors of the late Dr. James Crumpton (Natchez, MS), were often a real blessing to me. Here's a saying of his I've never forgotten: "Don't go stirring up the devil---unless you've got the power to cast him out." It really pays to be walking "closely" to the Living Christ---and not simply talking about Him...

---Interesting quote from Daniel Doriani---ponder it: Jesus still wants to turn crowds into followers. He still calls the physically and spiritually poor. He still calls people to himself---not simply to a cause or an ethic, but to himself. He still gives assurances that he is more than a teacher. He is the good Lord and Master, who will care for his followers. The scope of the work is greater than ever and it calls for unflinching dedication. Yet we must admit that all of us resemble those vegetarians who eat meat. We want to claim the dedication, the discipline of the true vegetarian or the true disciple, but we also want to define dedication in our own terms. We should like to be meat-eating vegetarians. The Lord Jesus knows this and forgives us our failures. But he does call us to discipleship, radical and consistent, with mind, and emotions dedicated to him.

---From John Owen: Holiness consists in our actual obedience unto God, which is revealed to us in his Word. Indeed, the Word of God is the only adequate rule for all holy obedience. It is not to be found in our own imaginations or our inclinations. All that is commanded in the Word belongs to our obedience, and nothing else is binding. We are strictly directed neither to add to it nor to subtract from it. We are to do not only what is commanded, but all that is commanded, and nothing more. If not commanded, it is not part of our obedience. The inbred light of nature yet remaining in us may give us direction as to moral good and evil, but this light must be subordinate to the Word and is not the final rule of gospel holiness. The law grace writes in our hearts must answer to the law written in God's Word. God promised that his Spirit and Word always accompany one another. The Spirit does not work anything in us but the Word first requires it of us...

Grace & Peace in Jesus Our Lord, Pastor Jason