Week 8 | The Second Sunday After Epiphany

The Collect:

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns one God, now and forever. Amen.

Scripture:

Exodus 17: I will stand before you on the rock

Psalm 35:5-10: I am your salvation

John2:1-11: The Best Wine

Mark 3:22-27: A Kingdom divided cannot stand

Homily:

In this third story, Jesus uses to explain to the Jewish leaders that his power did not come from Satan. Jesus uses the image of a secure household to explain his point of view. Because a house has a great amount of treasure in it…it has barred windows, a gate, and guards posted to prevent a robbery. If a robber wanted to rob the house they must overpower the guard. If the guard was stronger than the robber, the treasure would remain secure. But, if the robber was stronger than the guard, the treasure would be lost. The argument is that if Satan would guard those who are his…and if Jesus is able to cast one of Satan’s out of Satan’s own house…then it is evident that Jesus is stronger than Satan.

There is great danger in ascribing too much power to Satan.

But

There is great danger in ascribing too little power to Satan.

Satan while difficult to totally grasp and understand is a being created by God. When the Jewish leaders were saying that Jesus' power to cast out demons came from Satan, it showed that they too did not fully understand Satan.

Our goal is to simply focus on Jesus he overcame Satan and he overcame the power of sin and death!

Benediction:

Father, Creator of all that there is, we give thanks

Lord, You are the Author and Finisher of our faith, and we give you praise

God, our King, we honor, You.

Lord, our Savior, we worship You.

Father, may your Kingdom remain forever undivided.

May we experience Your mercy and grace

Forever.