January 4, 2025 - Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭34

“So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.” Mark 1:34 NLT

Jesus, you want to set us free from everything that binds us up. You have the power to heal any disease or sickness. There is no demon, or even Satan himself, that will not yield to your power. You also have the power to forgive our sins. You spent your time here on earth loving people and setting them free. That is your heart. You love pouring your love over us and setting us free. In this verse, we see that even in your human form, Jesus, the demons knew who you were, but you didn’t allow them to proclaim who you were to the public. They would have distracted from your true mission. You didn’t allow evil to control the narrative and bring any confusion. You wanted your love to display who you were. We see that your love for people was the reason you did all that you did. You were not about putting on a show of displaying your powers. When the crowds were drawn to you, it was not for a show, but to hear you proclaim truth and set people free, not to build yourself up and make yourself famous.

We also see the element of faith that you require from us in this verse. When you came to earth you could have dropped down out of the heavens in a spectacular way that had the whole world’s attention. You could have made your power and divinity clearly known. You could have made it so no one would doubt who you were. But you chose to come in the most unassuming way. You are not a prideful god, but a humble God who rules through love. You want us to choose you because it is truly what we want. You don’t want to force anyone to love you. It is a choice you give us. It is a choice that requires faith on our part. You want us to respond to your love, not your power.

In Jesus name, amen.