photo #5854561

The Bible Study – Our reading for Thursday, February 15 is Mark 1:14-28. The first quote from our Lord in Mark’s Gospel gives us both God’s Law and the Good News. It’s the sequence and paired message we see throughout the Bible. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” The Law shows us our sin and need of redemption. The Gospel shows us our only Saviour – Jesus. It offers forgiveness and the hope of eternal life with God. In Mark, the first thing Christ does in His public ministry is to call two pairs of brothers to be disciples. Today, Lord calls us through His means of grace. The Holy Spirit works through God’s Word and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Just as Jesus faced satan after our Lord’s Baptism in Luke’s Gospel, here in Mark He is met by a demon possessed man at the outset of His ministry. The setting is a synagogue in which Jesus was teaching. Notice the demon asks, “have you come to destroy us?” The unclean spirit is implying that Christ has come to devastate not just him, but the people in the house of worship, sinners. Yet Christ has not come to destroy, but to save, to liberate us from evil, sin and death. Our Lord performs the first exorcism in Mark. The people are amazed and ask, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” Today, in a world beset by sin and evil, the Gospel of Christ is preached. Many hear, yet reject their Saviour. By the power and authority of God’s Word, others are brought to faith and salvation through the work of the Spirit. Praise the One who breaks the darkness. Pastor Tom Steers, Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto http://christlutherantoronto.org/beliefs