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March 11 Mark 1:14-28
Jesus Calls His First Disciples and Teaches at Capernaum Where He He Casts Out an Unclean Spirit. In these early passages, we seeJesus beginning to feel his oats, now confident to recruit apostles and to preach even more publicly. In spite of the attacks from the man "with an unclean spirit" in the synagogue, there is excitement and optimism in these passages. The apostles are as new and raw as Jesus' message. Up to now, people have been used to being taught by Scribes, who read and interpret Scripture, but Jesus speaks with a different authority, an authority that will win him followers but also, eventually, turn powerful people against him. We also see a Jesus who is more than just charismatic and cocky. He's smart enough to preach in Capernaum, an important trade route where both Jews and Gentiles congregate. In short, he has a plan to win both the hearts and minds of people.
Today, then, is a good day to contemplate a complex, interesting Christ, and to think about how we must often rub against preconceived notions and authority in order to get anything authentic done.
Peter Johnson
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