Mary’s Lent Diary (Day 15)

Jesus is certainly getting around!  He is in Capernaum now – I wonder if he saw the official’s son who he healed.  He may have done, Capernaum has lots going on.  It will be very different from little old Nazareth, that’s for sure!  It is a really wealthy place.  I think I may have been there when I was growing up – my memories are of noise, crowds and important people.  Well, it is the Roman army headquarters so it would be surprising if it was a little, quiet place.

Jesus was there on the Sabbath so he went to the temple, just as he had in Nazareth.  When I heard that, I immediately worried that the same thing would happen again, and people would try to get rid of him. But it was ok this time.  As soon as Jesus began to teach, the people were amazed at his words and his authority.  (Best not to think about the fact that they liked him at first in Nazareth, too…)

Anyway, apparently, while Jesus was speaking and teaching, a man suddenly interrupted him, shouting as loud as he could. 

The man was yelling at Jesus, asking him what he wanted with them, and whether he had come to destroy them?  Destroy them?!  Wherever did he get that from?! And then the man started informing Jesus that he knew who he was, that he was the Holy One of God.

Of course, by this time, everyone in the synagogue was craning their necks to see what was going on, and who was causing this disruption.  Then they all turned back to see what Jesus was going to do about it…

Jesus said, quite sternly, ‘Be quiet!’  Heads started nodding – quite right too, the man was causing a disruption and it was right for the Rabbi to tell him to be quiet.  But Jesus went on to say, ‘Come out of him!’  It turns out that the poor man was demon possessed, and it had not been him talking at all.  When Jesus spoke directly to the evil spirit, telling it to come out of the man, the demon immediately threw the man down onto the ground.  Then it came out of him without hurting him at all.

Wow!  All the people thought ‘wow’, too – they were absolutely amazed at Jesus authority and power, even ordering demons around!  The news about Jesus is spreading like wildfire, that’s how I know what happened in Capernaum.  Of course, people head out from Capernaum to all over the area, especially the Roman troops, so that will help the news to spread.  But as I say, it is everywhere and it seems that everyone is talking about Jesus!

Sign saying ‘Exit this way’

This was not an ordinary Sabbath.

Perhaps it began as one, but things changed.

The normal routine was interrupted.

A man was shouting at the Rabbi.

And Jesus was ok with that.

He doesn’t exclude the man.

What about us?

What if our church service/homegroup/other was suddenly interrupted by someone who behaved differently?

How would we respond?

Jesus says, “Be Quiet!”

And it emerges that he is not talking to ‘the interruption’, he is talking to the reason for interruption.

He didn’t mind being interrupted, he minded that evil was hurting someone.

God cares when things hurt us.

Did you know that He cares?

Not only general care, but specific care, too.

Is there anything you’d specifically like to know His care over at the moment?

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.

Isaiah 40:11

Jesus said “Come out of him!” and the demon did, without hurting the man at all.

Sometimes, letting go – of thoughts, feelings, emotions – can be hard.

What will happen if we do?

Surely it’s better to hang on to the anger/hurt/pain?

We know how to live with the hurt, but are not sure how to live without it.

Jesus seemed indignant that the demon was in the man.

Things were not as they should be.

“Come out of him/her!”

Might He also be indignant on your behalf?

Is something causing you turmoil?

“Come out of him/her!”

Jesus showed the man’s hurting the exit.

He told the evil spirit to leave.

And it came out of the man…….without hurting him.

Emulating Jesus, we can show our negatives the exit.

It may - or may not - mean allowing space for other things in our lives to be interrupted.

And maybe, with Jesus on our side, letting go will hurt less than we expect.

We won’t know unless we try…

Lord Jesus,

When people are different from my norm and expectations,

help me to model You.

To welcome difference.

To care as You care.

Thank You for caring about me.

In Your care, please show me if and where I should let go.

Amen

Mary’s Memo Let Go