Mark 1,21-28.
Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum made a deep impression on the people because its content and style were different from the rabbis they knew. He was humble, approachable, engaging, and authoritative. He spoke with prophetic authority refreshingly different from the legalism that he so often challenges during his ministry. What he had to say was “forged in the smithy of his soul” by prayer and total acceptance of his Father’s will, and not based on other people’s opinions, or learnt from books. More than ten times in the first six chapters of Mark we find references to wonder, astonishment and admiration at his words and deeds.
Capernaum was situated on the north- western shore of the Sea of Galilee and the remains of a second century synagogue can be seen there today, probably, on the site where this miracle took place.
The synagogue service consisted of readings from the Old Testament accompanied by the recitation of Psalms, prayers, and a sermon. It was customary to invite visiting rabbis or celebrities to preach.
This first miracle in Mark’s gospel is the driving out of an unclean spirit in the synagogue on the Sabbath; deliberately chosen to show that the kingdom of God has come in Jesus and that the battle against the kingdom of evil has begun in him. The evil spirit takes the initiative by attempting to name Jesus. To know somebody’s name in biblical times was to have some power and influence over them. Refusing to debate with the demon, Jesus immediately commands it to be silent and to come out of the person. The convulsion and the loud cry convey vain defiance to Jesus’ powerful, authoritative, and effective command.
The theme of the astonishment of people recurs, this time at his miracle. They started asking what it all meant? His teaching is new and unclean spirits obey him. He has shown his authority in the synagogue in both word and deed. They are beginning to ask a question that continues throughout Mark’s gospel: Who could this Jesus be? This is always a relevant question which each of us should ask regularly as well: Who is Jesus for me? How do I relate to him?
One way to help us to understand Mark’s gospel is to see it as written from the point of view of an enquiring catechumen. Mark adopts a catechumen’s stance and tells the story of Jesus’ public ministry from that standpoint raising the key question; who is this Jesus who teaches so authoritatively and keeps doing those wonderful things that no one else has done like him before?
Why not try reading Mark’s gospel at one sitting and see what impression it makes on you?
The word “gospel” means good news. How is this gospel good news for you?
What convinces you that Jesus is the Son of God, the saviour who has come to save you? How do you express that belief in your life?
Fr Geoff O’Grady