When an ambassador comes to a country, the person is so respected that it’s as though the President, King or Queen of the country is present. When the ambassador speaks, the ruler speaks. St. Mark tells about the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, each verse like a karate chop to describe the arrival of divine power into human lives. “Authority” is the word that St. Mark uses to express this idea. Jesus brings the full power of God in

his teaching and in the miracles that begin to flow from him.

The first miracle is that of casting out an unclean spirit, sometimes called a demon. The unclean spirit cannot hang around where God’s power breaks in. Jesus does this on the Sabbath—hint of coming angry resistance to God by the religious authorities who object that Jesus does this on the Sabbath. Imagine: calling healing, “work” and thus failing to rejoice in the power of God’s love!

Stand with the crowd in the synagogue and watch Jesus bring God’s power and love.

Mark 1:21-31

Examples of Bible Breaths Learn More…

New teaching—authority v. 27
Unclean spirits must obey. v. 27
You touch me—I am in peace. v. 31
All the sick converge on You. v. 32

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels. This year, we generally read from the Gospel of Mark.

These Firestarters are for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet! Check the menu options at the site for more information.