February 4, 2024 

Today's Reading: Mark 1:29-39

Daily Lectionary: Job 1:1-22; John 1:1-18

“[Jesus] cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.” (Mark 1:29-39)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. The demons knew Jesus? Of course they did. Satan heard the first promise, the promise that Eve’s greater descendant would crush Satan’s head, giving salvation to the sinner. (Gen. 3:15) The demons have seen it all—the promise given Abraham for the justification of the sinner (Gen. 15), the promise to David that a greater Son would rule an everlasting kingdom (1 Chron. 17:11-15), and more. Maybe you can even think of other promises the Lord gave for the sinner. Satan and demons have seen much, they demons know a lot!

They know about you, too, and me. They know sins I have committed even from my childhood. My history, my pride, my vanity, my shame. All the stuff I do not want known. Finally, they know how to slither into my thoughts, striking with the Law’s accusation. They strike you, too, as a snake striking a person’s heel. They know a lot.

The demons knew Jesus. So why would Jesus not let them speak? What would the demons want the sinner to know of Jesus? That Jesus is true God in human flesh? That doesn’t yet save the sinner. That He has power to heal? That doesn’t yet justify before the face of God. 

You can know a lot about Jesus—a lot which is, indeed, true!—but it is not yet good news as Satan is poisoning your conscience with the venom of guilt and shame, striking you with the accusation. 

What do the demons not want you to know of Jesus? That He is not just God who became flesh, but that He became flesh in order to then be humiliated and die … for you. That what Jesus accomplished on the cross is not just a historical fact, but that He brings this historical accomplishment to you in Baptism. That the blood once shed on the cross is now delivered to you as you hear Jesus say, “Take and drink, this is my Blood for the forgiveness of our sins.”

The demons want you to know none of this. They want you to know only the accusation. Jesus does indeed want you to know the Law’s accusation. He wants you to hear it so that you are then ready to hear His Gospel. Jesus has His Gospel proclaimed for you, for every sinner! To forgive guilt, to give a clean heart, to remove shame and clothe in honor—Jesus has His cross preached to you!  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Lord Jesus, deliver me from the Evil One. Cast from my conscience the accusation of the demons. Release me from the guilt of the holy Law. Forgive my sin. Cover me in honor. Let me hear your Gospel. Justify me by your Word. Amen.

-Pastor Warren Graff is retired from Grace Lutheran Church, Albuquerque.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, Ky.

The Lutheran Reader’s Bible helps you develop a habit of devotion and Bible reading so you can slowly but intentionally understand and grow in God’s Word. Through introductions to the sixty-six books of the Bible, guided reading plans, and more, this Bible builds your confidence to study Scripture on your own.