Lenten Reader | Day 2

February 18th, 2026

Authority

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Mark 1:14-28

The Gospel of Mark is characterized by a rapid, action-oriented narrative that introduces Jesus as a powerful, authoritative figure from the outset. In Mark 1:14-28, this authority is showcased in two main ways: the proclamation of the Kingdom of God and the demonstration of power over evil. This passage marks the beginning of Jesus’ Galilean ministry, shifting from the preparatory work of John the Baptist to the active establishment of a new divine order.

Following John’s imprisonment, Jesus enters Galilee with a defining message: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel”. This declaration marks the culmination of Old
Testament prophecy – a “time of fulfillment.” The kingdom is not merely a political state, but the reign of God breaking into human history. The immediate response demanded is twofold: repentance, implying a change of direction, and belief in the good news.

Immediately after declaring this, Jesus calls his first disciples – Simon, Andrew, James, and John – while they are fishing. He tells them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17). The prompt response of these fishermen – abandoning their nets, boats, and families – demonstrates the transformative, demanding nature of the gospel. They leave their mundane livelihood to take part in a radical new mission.

The scene then shifts to Capernaum, where Jesus enters the synagogue to teach on the Sabbath. The audience is astonished because, unlike the scribes, Jesus teaches with inherent authority. This spiritual authority is immediately tested by a man with an unclean spirit, “What do you want with us to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God,” said Jesus sternly. The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him!” The demon obeys, showcasing the Jesus has direct authority over spiritual forces, a central theme in Mark’s portrayal of the Messiah. The passage concludes with the crowd amazed, noting this as a “new teaching” backed by the power to command even unclean spirits.

Linda Neff