Thurs., 7/19/12 Devotion (Mk. 1:21-22)

Today's encouragement comes from Mark 1:21 & 22--verses which de-scribe Christ's ministry:

"Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath [Jesus] entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."

Jesus, being the perfect churchman, is in the synagogue on the Sab-bath. He is teaching. What makes Christ's sermon unique is the auth-ority He demonstrated. The Messiah actually believed what He was saying, knew it was from God, and was willing to proclaim the gospel boldly and unashamedly.

Most people hate this kind of preaching and teaching. They may say they like it; but deep down what they really want is what is according to their own fleshly desires. Let us be different; and thirst for what Christ and His true messengers bring to us--whether it makes us feel good, or bad.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Give a beast hay and he will follow you all over the field. Not to draw near to [God] who is our Benefactor is worse than brutish." --Thomas Watson, in his sermon, "Drawing Near to God"]