Mark 1:21-45

So many things happen in these verses that it can be hard to keep up. Each of the four episodes could be its own book or movie. Instead they are each compressed into just a few verses. The lack of details in each scene creates space for readers to imagine and envision it for themselves. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? What do you sense? The imagining and envisioning can help the story come to life. At the same time, it’s important to not insert anything into the story that would change its true meaning.

Some readers are surprised that Jesus attended and taught in the synagogue because they’ve been told that Jesus is anti-religion or anti-church. Jesus was actually a very religious man (he followed all of his religion’s traditions and teachings) and he’s the one who established the Church before leaving earth after his resurrection.

What Jesus opposed was people who misused religious teaching and tradition for their own gain, or who twisted it in ways that confused and distanced certain people.

Jesus loved God’s Word. Jesus loved God’s place of worship and fellowship. Jesus loved God’s teaching and truth. He can show us how to do the same, with the right attitude and for the right reasons.