Ethos

Today we’re going to try something different. We’re going to explore Mark 1:21-28 using a unique format. Think about this entire story from a modern-day context. Use the prompts to add modern day ideas to the text. When you finish, read through the story and think about how you would tweet this story or write a headline in a news feed.

And they went into _______________ (city by the sea) and immediately on the _______________ (sacred day), Jesus entered the _______________ (place of worship) and was teaching. And they were astonished at his _______________ (type of teaching) for he taught them as _______________ (person with great authority), and not as the _______________ (group of religious persons).  And immediately there was in their _______________ (same place of worship), a man with _______________ (deep inner struggle). And he cried out, “What have you to do with _______________ (deep inner struggle) Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to _______________ (word for ‘conquer’) us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”  But Jesus _______________ (word for ‘corrected’) him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”  And the _______________ (deep inner struggle), 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 _______________ (word of ‘authority’)! He commands even the _______________ (deep inner struggle), and they obey him.”  And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region _______________ (region near the sea).

What would the Tweet or Headline in a News Post be? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

By Yvonne Biel 

26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 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.” 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

Mark 1:26-28

 In this story a man is healed. Delivered. Freed. He is gifted with wholeness of mind and presumably body as well. But his healing did not come neatly. It did not come quietly or perhaps even quickly. The New International Version says that the unclean spirit “came out of him with a shriek.” Jesus allows the shrieking.

As I ponder what implications this shrieking has in my life, I’m reminded that healing is a process. Yes, I’ve certainly experienced miraculous deliverance before – Heaven opening, pouring light and joy into my soul and freeing me from depression. But at times, wholeness has come through time and pain and shrieking.

This series we’ve been contemplating the interplay of two kingdoms: the kingdom of this world (of darkness, of the devil) and the kingdom of Heaven (of light, of Jesus). I imagine this shrieking, this struggle, this tension occurring when we are being freed from the tight grip of addiction and sin and entrapment in the kingdom of darkness. Satan does not let go easily and it is not always smooth sailing from one side to the other. Because the kingdom of Heaven is here and not yet, the shrieking is part of the process.

Though the process is hard, be encouraged that His promise of wholeness prevails. Many times deliverance comes step-by-step, choice-by-choice. In my own life, I’ve experienced immediate relief from depression and anxiety and I’ve also experienced relief as a result of daily, hard choices to persevere, to trust, to thank Him through dark days.

Maybe wholeness for you is an immediate one or maybe it’s taking that step toward healing at Celebrate Recovery or calling up a pastor or a friend. Maybe it’s obeying the voice of God when it’s difficult, even if you have to complain through it. Jesus knows the struggle, He knows we are still living in this world of sin and death.

Today take a moment to jot a prayer of thanksgiving to your Lord. Thank Him for the healing that is coming even if pain is still present. As you listen to the lyrics of The Wound is Where the Light Gets In by Jason Gray, may you be empowered in your journey toward wholeness.

By Ellen Rosenberger 

“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!”

Mark 1:23-25

Current National Geographic documentary, One Strange Rock, is a story about the earth from the perspective of the only people who have ever left it. Astronaut and MIT astronautics professor Jeff Hoffman shares his unique knowledge and experience seeing the earth and the sun from outer space. This Bible story from Mark testifies to the way Jesus, the son of God who came down from the spiritual realms of heaven and went back again, sees us. In this passage Jesus sees a man living in the conflict of two spiritual worlds.

The man is at the mercy of an unclean spirit from the kingdom of darkness. He is also at the mercy of Jesus who has all authority over the Kingdom of God and Satan’s world. The unclean spirit obeys Jesus’ commands and the man is restored. The man is made new, healed from his oppression, and brought out of the darkness into the kingdom of light. Jesus came to make lives whole again and bring restoration to heart, mind, strength and soul.

Jesus sees humanity with his father’s eyes. Jesus sees us as we were created to be, not by the sin that entangles us or the things we think define us. Though Peter stumbles, Jesus sees him as the rock the church will be built upon. Though Saul persecutes him, Jesus sees the apostle Paul who will take the gospel to all the Roman Empire. Though a woman is labeled unclean by others, Jesus sees her when she touches him in a crowd, heals her and calls her his daughter.

Jesus sees you. He sees more than the things that oppress you; he sees your true identity. Jesus sees all God made you to be, and the process he is bringing you through. He sees all the good works he has gifted you to do. The places we live need to see the transformation that wholeness brings into the lives of Jesus’ followers. In prayer, ask for the Father’s eyes, to look at others with his eyes and see what he sees. After looking at others it might be easier to look at yourself and see yourself as God sees you.

By Donna Burns  

²¹ And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. ²² And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. ²³ And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, ²⁴ “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.”  ²⁵ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” ²⁶ And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. ²⁷ 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.”

Mark 1:21-27

When we’re not feeling well, most of us head to our doctor, taking advantage of their education and passion in their desire to improve the health of their patients. This exercise always makes us aware of what doctors are for: healing the sick. Jesus, in Mark 2:17, uses the same example of a doctor to explain his ministry to the ‘righteous’ while eating. And, in this healing of the spiritually sick, Jesus became one of us to destroy the works of the evil one (1 John 3:8b). His healing powers were demonstrated when he freed the oppressed.

In this passage Jesus’ ministry is at it’s very beginning. The demon possessing this man in the synagogue  reveals itself and the man in need of healing is visibly presented to Jesus and those watching. Jesus doesn’t hesitate: he shuts the demon up and casts him out of the man. He is returned to wholeness. This is what Jesus does throughout his ministry. In his visitations with those needing wholeness, he amply provides. Jesus freed people from whatever was holding them captive, bringing them to wholeness.

If you reread this passage, something else stands out. Those attending along with Jesus notice a difference in how he teaches. They differentiate between Jesus and the scribes. He’s teaching with authority. While the scribes definitely knew and were familiar with the scriptures, they lacked authority. Perhaps the big difference between the two is Jesus’ ability to move those in need to wholeness and freedom, whereas the scribe’s would relate the law as they knew it, and further increase bondage under the law.

Within all of us there are things keeping us from experiencing all aspects of wholeness Jesus provides. Despite what doctors, psychiatrists, and others tell us, there are many ways we can experience a lack of wholeness. The evil one can oppress us in many areas of our lives such as the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, relational, financial, and vocational. Jesus can release us from suffering and restore our wholeness, just as he did in the Gospels. Reflect on these aspects of your own life, searching diligently and urgently for missing wholeness, and seeking the healing that Jesus offers.

By Rich Obrecht 

Take a moment to breathe deeply. This week likely brought a variety of tasks, conversations, and activities. This morning, intentionally press pause. Reflect on the moments that come to mind. Where was God in those conversations? How did He show up in that meeting? What was He up to this week in your life? What new desires has He placed on your heart?

In our fast-paced society, we can get going really fast without reflecting on God’s presence in our lives. In reality, He is with us at all times but we don’t always intentionally practice being in His presence. We may understand this idea conceptually, but it can be challenging to truly be aware of Him. Today and this weekend take part in a few of these exercises (adapted from Dallas Willard’s presentation at a Spiritual Renewal Conference), as you feel led. These are not meant to be legalistic, but rather, life giving as we become more aware of God’s presence each moment.

WAKING IN THE MORNING Arise with praise to God. Seek seclusion to kneel for 5 or 10 minutes and welcome the presence of Jesus, renewing your invitation for Him to be with you each moment. Ask Him to remove all fear and fill you with His love. Specific concerns for the day should be called out. Declare your dependence upon Him, remembering His presence with you.

AS YOU ENGAGE WITH PEOPLE, Will the peace and joy within you to pass from you like living waters to those around you. It is in your body. You will it to enter others. Watch it happen. Sometimes by benediction or “good speaking,” sometimes in complete silence.

EVERY TWO TO THREE HOURS, Take ten minutes to lift a fully concentrated heart and mind to God in thanksgiving and petition, alone if possible. Sometimes you may do this by looking at the beauty of a flower or the sky or listening to beautiful music.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, Take fifteen minutes to review the day. Give thanks for the successes, and try to understand why any failures occurred. Ask Jesus for guidance in continuing the project. (Note: Don’t make this a part of your evening exercises. They are a part of the new day.)

BEGINNING OF THE DAY The biblical day, God’s day, begins in the early evening at sundown. In darkness we gather, we recollect, we praise, and we dream in the security God has given to us. Above all, we rest. Rest is an act of faith, especially today. As you retire, decide to meet with God first thing when you awake, and go over in your mind how that will be. Fall asleep in prayer. Use the simple prayers of childhood or the Lord’s Prayer or the 23rd Psalm.

No matter what happens today, cling to this truth of Philippians 4:6-7 from the Message Translation:

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

By Billy Berglund 

And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.  For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”

Exodus 33:15-16

 Kings, princes, heads of state, sought the advice and prayers of the late Billy Graham. He was like a modern-day Moses, a man of God. God’s presence in his life caused him to reach millions with the saving knowledge of Jesus. The nation of Israel was chosen and given God’s presence to show all the other nations their God was more than an idol of wood or stone. His presence gave them identity and a purpose. It gave them distinction. They were different than all the other nations around them (Exodus 19:6).

As the leader of God’s chosen people, Moses’ desire was to go forward only if God was with them. His direction came from God. His purpose became God’s purpose, his will God’s will. Moses learned it was more important who he went with than where he went. And the nations noticed.

As followers of Jesus spent time with him, his presence gave them identity as his disciples. Their direction came from knowing the way of Jesus and having a heart changed by Jesus. And the people noticed (Acts 4:13).

God’s plan includes nations, tribes, tongues and peoples knowing him by seeing his presence displayed in the lives of those who follow him. The apostle John tells in his letters that God’s presence (John 8:31), love (John 13:35), and fruit in our lives (John 15:8) will show we are his disciples. Spending time in his presence motivates us to bring his presence to others. Being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing as Jesus did is our goal as his distinct people.

Ask God to give you a renewed sense of devotion to spend time in his presence.  Is there someone you can affirm today for the distinction they have of spending time in the presence of the Lord? Say this prayer of blessing for his presence in your life and others.

Numbers 6:24-26

 The Lord bless you and keep you;
 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

By Donna Burns  

‘Moses said to the Lord , “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” ‘

Exodus 33:12-14

Souls crave rest. When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, they relinquished the rest that they were designed for. I don’t mean physical or even mental rest. In the garden Adam and Eve had work to do but they also had a profound sense of inner rest and peace, doing their work in the presence and with the help of God. Humans were not designed to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders; that’s a job for God. Humans were designed to work hard but be at peace in their souls. Dallas Willard captured the sentiment well when he said, “busy is a condition of the body, hurried is a condition of the soul.” We were not meant to have the anxiety of a hurried soul.

In this passage, Moses pleads with God to send someone with him. He pleads for God’s favor and the knowledge of his ways. God answers Moses’ prayer with a promise of presence and rest. In God’s presence there is rest. Why? Because we begin to sense his care for us, his capacity to watch over us, and we begin to transfer the weight of our circumstances to his shoulders. We become free to labor without stress.

What do you typically do when you feel uneasy, anxious or lonely? If you’re like me, you try working harder to make the things you’re anxious about go away. I’ve tried distracting myself with TV shows or iPhone games. I’ve tried seeking out new adventures. How have those things worked for me? They don’t work. Rest is found in relationship, not in activity. The shadow of God’s presence is the most restful place a soul can be.

Take a few moments to diagnose your current strategy for dealing with anxiety and stress. How do you try to find rest for your soul? How is that working? Then consider the tremendous rest that could be found if you were to instead cultivate a deeper, eternal, unfailing rest in the God who loves you. In what setting do you most experience the presence of God? Finally, remember that it is in that presence that souls find rest. Seek His presence and rest there.

By Aaron Bjorklund 

1. Prepare for the imaginative exercise by spending a few minutes calming yourself with silence and deep breathing.
2. When ready, read the passage one time through to get the full picture of what’s happening. Allow yourself to notice the little details included in the text.

¹² Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. ¹³ And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali,¹⁴ so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:

¹⁵ “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—
¹⁶ the people dwelling in darkness
have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned.”

¹⁷ From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

¹⁸ While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” ²⁰ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. ²¹ And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. ²² Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

²³ And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

3. Now, sit back and close your eyes. Think through the story you just read. Feel free to glance down and slowly make your way through the text. Allow images to form in your imagination as you picture the scene.
   1. Imagine how you first heard the prophecy of Isaiah.
   2. Imagine Jesus’ preaching. What happens when you hear Jesus saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”?
   3. Imagine Jesus walking by the sea. What happens when Jesus says, “Follow me”?
4. Spend a few more minutes paying attention to what else you see in the scene. Where are you? What do you hear? What do you feel?
5. Close your time by talking with Jesus about how this scene made you feel. Tell him how you responded when he said, “repent” and when he said, “follow me.”

By Yvonne Biel 

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.  And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.  Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Matthew 4:17-22

We’ve all been there. When we graduate from high school we’re asked, “What are you going to do, where might you attend college and what are you going to major in?” Where do you see yourself five or ten years from now? Picture God asking you the same life questions. “Are you going to follow me, and the plan I have for you using the gifts I’ve given you, or are you going to join the enemy camp? Where do you see yourself in the years to come, following the way of Jesus with the heart of Jesus or the way of the world?”

Peter, Andrew, James, and John made the choice to follow Jesus, immediately and sincerely. They left their lifelong family business, their father, and went with Jesus. They learned from him, grew in their faith and ministered with him. They followed, when they could see where they were going, and when they couldn’t. There were challenges. Peter confesses Jesus is the Christ, then denies him three times.  He has faith to walk on water, then doubts. He preaches the good news, then goes back to fishing. The great lesson from Peter’s life is: it’s better to be a follower who fails, then be one who fails to follow.

Pastor Ryan’s Easter message brought to our attention the conflict of the two worlds: God’s plan and Satan’s plan.  Our hope of life eternal is intertwined with the despair of the fallen nature. Following Jesus is mixed with life’s ups and downs, too. How do we become his disciples? By confessing our bent to go the wrong way and repenting, by changing our mind to go his way. Discipleship is a journey not a destination. Our life with him will never end, but his death on the cross ends the reign of the curse. It makes us new creatures with new hearts in his Kingdom.

Today write a simple story of your life decisions about Jesus. The Kingdom of God is at hand. He calls you to follow – you choose. What makes you resistant to follow his call? Can you identify what makes following Jesus appealing and what doesn’t? Talk to him about it; he’s listening.

By Donna Burns