Breaking Free
January 14, 2025 - Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Mark 1:21-28
Today’s Gospel takes us to the synagogue in Capernaum. It’s the Sabbath—a sacred day of rest, prayer, and reflection on Scripture. For Christians, Sunday holds similar importance. How do you usually spend your Sundays?
In the synagogue, the service began with readings from the Torah and prophetic books, followed by a teaching. Typically, the speaker would rely on the authority of well-known rabbis to interpret the Scriptures. But Jesus did something radically different—He spoke with authority, not quoting others, but teaching with divine clarity.
A great example of Jesus’ unique teaching style is found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). There, He contrasts the teachings of the Old Testament with His own, using phrases like “You have heard that it was said…but I say to you.” For instance:
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22).
A Disturbance in the Synagogue
In the middle of this sacred gathering, a man possessed by an unclean spirit cried out. He shouldn’t have been there—anything “unclean” was considered unfit for worship. So why did he come? Was it to challenge Jesus? To disrupt? Mark doesn’t say, but what’s clear is that Jesus’ presence and teaching struck a nerve with the evil within him.
The unclean spirit shouted, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:24). In this outburst, the spirit unwillingly revealed two truths:
Who Jesus is: The Holy One of God.
Why Jesus came: To destroy the forces of evil.
Freedom Through Christ
Evil, like a parasite, feeds on others and destroys lives in the process. But Jesus came to stop this. He didn’t just come to teach or inspire; He came to set people free. Later in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus describes His mission as binding the “strong man” (the devil) and plundering his house (Mark 3:27). In other words, He breaks the power of evil and rescues those trapped in its grip.
That day in Capernaum, the possessed man became the first to experience the transformative power of Jesus. With just a word, Jesus expelled the unclean spirit, and the man was free—free to live, free to worship, free to be whole.
What About Us?
Evil isn’t always dramatic like possession. Sometimes, it shows up in subtle ways—in habits that harm us, relationships that drain us, or thoughts that trap us in fear or despair. But the good news is this: Jesus has the power to break every chain. His mission hasn’t changed. He still sets people free, offering hope, healing, and a fresh start to anyone who turns to Him.
So, here’s a question: Is there something in your life holding you back—fear, anger, addiction, or doubt? Jesus invites you to bring it to Him. Just as He freed the man in Capernaum, He can bring freedom to your life, too.