ESOCS Devotional 11 October 2023 -The Right Meeting
MEMORY VERSE: “And they went into Capernaum, and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.” Mark 1:21
TEXT: MARK 1:2–29 (KJV)
As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
12 And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
16 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
17 And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
18 And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.
19 And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets.
20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
When people gather together in a place for a purpose it is generally called a meeting. Usually, the name of the meeting may in some cases assume or take on the purpose of the meeting. For instance, when individuals gather it might be for conference, seminar, workshop, prayer, worship service, teaching and so on. These names are the purposes for the meetings. Every meeting can turn out right or wrong depending on the outcome as against the expectation for the meeting.
As Christians we are mostly involved with religious or spiritual meetings. In these meetings, religious/spiritual activities are expected to take place with the result of given God the glory due Him in adequate worship and praise. And other things being that the congregants are adequately fed the word of God for spiritual growth and then anyone with challenges, they are taken care of effectively. The attendees of such a meet having experienced God’s glory and power will go home fulfilled, expecting the next meeting.
Our text told us that Lord Jesus entered a synagogue. A synagogue is a meeting place of Jews for religious purposes. It is not actually the Temple, for in those days the temple was at Jerusalem. So, to cater for the spiritual needs of the Jews outside Jerusalem they provided a temporary place called the meeting place – synagogue.
This is how The Message Bible rendered verse 21 “Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place (Synagogue). He spent the day there teaching.” The meeting place is same as synagogue.
When Jesus entered the meeting the experience of those who attended the Sabbath that day was different from what they were used to. The proper and glorious things that were required to happen in a spiritual meeting took place on that day. We can relate to those things as follow:
- The presence and glory of God was tangibly felt and experienced practically. Because of the tangible presence of God, the demons in their midst that have been attending the Sabbath meeting in that town all these past years undisturbed were rattled when Jesus entered the Synagogue: “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out” (v 23). There was an anointed teaching of God’s word so much so that the congregants marvelled (v 22). I believe that they have never had it this good, anointed and authoritative.
- A spiritual challenge was dealt with right on the spot. The evil spirit in the demon possessed man was cast out and the man freed (v. 25 and 27)
Therefore, beloved in Christ, when in any spiritual meeting and if the things done or activities carried out therein brings due glory to God and blesses the attendees, we would rightly conclude that it is a right meeting.
- Beloved, are you a carrier of His Divine Presence? Are you full of the Holy Spirit?
- Father, fill me always with the Holy Spirit and your Word. Help me to be conscious of your divine presence always.
FURTHER READING: Genesis 2:4 – end; 37:25–end; Romans 2:1–16
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ESOCS Devotional 11 October 2023
