What Jesus Did! 'The Authoritative Voice' — Mark 1:27-28

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Amazement gripped the audience [when Jesus cast the evil spirit out], and they began to discuss what had happened. "What sort of new teaching is this?" they asked excitedly. "It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!" The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee.

Key Thought

Jesus has authority. Not just rank so he can give orders. Not just power so he can obliterate his enemies. No, Jesus has true authority - rank, power, and integrity so that he can authentically subdue and destroy evil. This authority should not just be admired. This authority should not leave us spell-bound. No, this authority should lead us to watch Jesus and learn from his actions, because they are gracious and compassionate as well as mighty. This authority should make us listen to what he says because Jesus' words are not only true, but they are also life-giving and liberating. We should be excited. We should tell others about Jesus, and we should obey him and follow his example of sacrificial service.

Today's Prayer

My dear and precious Father, the one true and living God, please give me the courage to believe and obey the words of Jesus and to follow his example of sacrificial service. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 28:18-20
  • Mark 10:42-45
  • Mark 3:31-35

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 1:27-28 NLT — "What sort of new teaching is this?"   ——   "It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, January 18, 2024

A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
"So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn't realize it was actually happening. They passed..."
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"In this simple way, by God's grace, a living testimony for truth is always to be kept alive in the land-the beloved of the Lord are to hand down their..."
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
"You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater,..."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Friend, I want you to learn to rejoice in Our work in you. We — Father, Son, and Spirit — delight in your obedience and service to....."

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.