SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:21-28
OBSERVATION:
Jesus followed the Jewish customs (going to the synagogue, not something required by the law of Moses) but used them for His own purpose.
Jesus’ teaching had an authority lacking in the Jewish leaders… the anointing of the Holy Spirit!
What was this evil (lit. unclean) spirit?
The evil spirit was there, but it was Jesus’ presence and teaching that made it reveal itself.
The evil spirits recognized Jesus sooner than his own people.
Jesus has the power and authority to order Satan (and his demons) around.
This must have been quite the sight to see.
APPLICATION:
Do I use the opportunities provided by my community to share God’s message?
Is my teaching more like Jesus’ or more like the Jewish leaders?
Are there people possessed by evil spirits present when we gather together as a Church?
Does our lack of belief in demon-possession blind us to those who might be possessed among us?
It is only in Jesus’ Name that we can stand up to Satan.
PRAYER:
Lord, open my eyes to see the spiritual battle that is raging around me. And help me not to rely on my own strength, either to teach or to take on the evil spirits around me. Help me to see that it is only as I stand with You, and work in Your Name, that I can resist the devil so that he flees from me. Amen.
In response to P.Norm’s question about standing up to Satan and his minions only in Jesus name….. I do believe that we can claim his power as followers of him but the evil spirits do recognize the names of others. They had heard of Paul and would not listen to the hollow “castings” exocists and seven sons of Sceva. (in Acts 19:11-20)
They were astonished by his teaching…..
Jesus breathes new life into the scriptures. Passages that they had heard time and time again. Jesus spoke with personal authority, not foot notes to other wise rabbis. Teachers of that time spent the time hearing and learning the scriptures with the others but this is evidence that Jesus is the Word. The scriptures are an extension of Him.
“What have we to do with you…..? ”
The evil spirit recognizes the stark contradiction, the radical difference, between the two kingdoms. There is no room for evil in the presence of the Holy One. There is no room for a dicotomy of good and evil. Do we, too often, make a marriage between good and evil to justify ourselves? Who is the only one who is capable of justifying us? We are truly kidding ourselves if we think it is us.
Jesus Authority….
Jesus Authority is shown in all realms in the passages in Mark. His astonishing teaching is proof of his master of the intelectual and everyday realm. His casting out of the unclean spirit shows his power in the spiritual realm. His many healings in the following passage shows his authority in the physical realm.
Be quiet…….
It is not that Jesus did not want people to know him as the Holy One. I believe he did not want to be associated with the confession or statement (even if it was true) of an evil spirit. Jesus would not allow for any claim to be made that he was in league with the Deceiver.
Those were just a few random thoughts.
Mark 1: 21=28
Jesus speaks with authority. Even the evil spirits recognize Him and Jesus demonstrates his power by casting them out. Do we see so little manifestation of evil spirits especially in the west because we do not speak with authority? I think Satan and his evil or unclean spirits ignore us because we speak like the teachers of the law. Am I self righteously waging a powerless war against evil—disease, injustice, immorality etc but have little impact because I lack the authority only Jesus can give?
Lord equip me and cleanse me again with your Spirit so I too can speak with authority and in Your name battle the evil spirits of today. May the world recognize your power manifested in the things I do and say. And may You receive all the credit and the glory. Forgive my arrogance in thinking I can make a difference without you. The battle belongs to you Lord but I want to be in your army. Lead on O king Eternal!