23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.
Message: Casting out Demons
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word immediately used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
I have been mentioning that Mark has been brief so far in his re-telling of Jesus and his life following his baptism in the Jordan. However, he could be brief also because he didn't have complete information and he wanted to be true to re-tell what he knew rather than adding information that he wasn't clear on. As I turn to this passage, there is more information and the words of Jesus are given. Thus far, Mark has recorded these words of Jesus - verse 15 - The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel and verse 17 - Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men. These verses are moving from an audience of everyone, to a smaller group of the disciples to now an individual.
In each of these statements, his authority is clearly on display. Exorcising demons from a person was not unusual, as Jewish leaders and rabbi's had done this, but they often relied on procedures to help people. Jesus however simply speaks and thus relies only on his words and his authority.
It is interesting that the demon is present here in the synagogue. I wonder how long he had been present and not cried out. It's a reminder that the church can still be a place where evil spirits are present. This spirit recognizes Jesus, recognizes his authority and that he has come from God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. There is power, power, wonderful working power in the name of Jesus. And they were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” Here, everyone, the demons and the scribes and religious leaders understand what is going on. This man has greater authority that even a rabbi as he speaks and it happens.
As I follow the story, there is clearly something different about this man Jesus.
- Wonder, and what excited it:
- What they had seen -- men delivered from the power of Satan
- What they had heard - the all-powerful Word of Jesus
- Inquiry, and to what end it was directed
- Into the nature and reality of His works
- Into the character of His doctrine
- Popularity, and how it was extended
- By the reports of wondering men
- Swiftly spreading through the land.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the power that is in the name of Jesus. Thank you for dealing with the forces of Satan in our world and freeing us to be able to live for you. Keep doing this, for at times, the devil has a hold on people's lives. Keep us strengthened to live for you and glorify you. Thank you for being a personal God, concerned about each person's state of mind.
No comments:
Post a Comment