January 19, 2024 "Jesus Confronts The Darkness"

ReNew Ames Messages

Jesus enters a synagogue and teaches with authority - the people are amazed. Next a man with an impure spirit recognizes Jesus and Jesus casts out the spirit. The people are amazed again and Jesus becomes famous throughout the land. What a weird little story. How much of this can we relate to? Well, if we use our imaginations - we can. We'll imagine what it was like for the people in the synagogue. They were amazed. They came to worship minding their own business and suddenly they have an encounter with the divine they can't explain. "Whoa, what is this?" they asked. There's something more going on here. Have you ever had an experience like that? Next, we imagine what it's like to be the man with the impure spirit. We really don't know what this is. But maybe it doesn't matter. We all know what it's like to be possessed by something (I promise it doesn't get weird here) that takes away our agency and our dignity. The impure spirit recognizes Jesus as the Holy One of God. And puts up a fight. But Jesus brings healing. Finally, we'll imagine what it's like to follow Jesus. He didn't use his authority for himself. He didn't consolidate power - he gave it away, He used his authority to free, to liberate, to heal. He had an integrity and authenticity that made people want to follow him. He also walked straight into the pain and the horror and wasn't afraid. He wasn't afraid to confront anything that kept the man from living a flourishing life. Wherever the darkness is, the struggle is, the pain is, this story seems to be telling us that's where Jesus is. Maybe we ought to be there too. Speaker: Aaron Vis Scripture: Mark 1:21-28 https://www.bible.com/events/49379057