What Jesus Did! 'Sabbath Teaching' — Mark 1:21-22

Monday, January 15, 2024

Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority — quite unlike the teachers of religious law.
— Mark 1:21-22 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus went to church! Well, not exactly church as we know it, but he did go to the assembly of God's people at the synagogue. Weren't hypocrites, sinners, and worse there in those meetings? Yes! But Jesus went to the synagogue because these people were searching for God, despite their failures and their problems. He used his visits as opportunities to teach the people. They recognized his authority. Do we? Are we responding to Jesus' words of comfort, challenge, and conviction?

Today's Prayer

Holy God and righteous Father, thank you for Jesus' example of going to meet with your people and blessing them with your truth. As I go to the assembly of folks who honor your name and praise Jesus for his sacrifice, I pray that you will still have Jesus' teaching heard. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 1:21-22 NLT — The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority — quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, January 15, 2024

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Our Hope is in You Alone!' (Ps. 33:20-22)
"We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Psalm 118:5-6
"In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Help Me Love the Truth' (2 Th. 2:9-10)
"When the wicked one appears, Satan will pretend to work all kinds of miracles, wonders, and signs. Lost people will be fooled by his evil deeds...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Your Best Is Not Good Enough'
"Dear Beloved, What do you do when you recognize that your best isn't good enough to get you to God? That's the essential question that every..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!