Mark 1:21-28
Introduction
In this passage we see:
1. The continuation of Jesus’ earthly ministry
2. And the start of His healing work
In Mark’s Gospel we see that the ministry of Jesus consisted of:
1. Teaching
2. Healing
3. Casting out demons
This passage is all about the authority of Jesus. Keep this in mind as we go through it.
Verses 21 to 22
As we see in this passage, Jesus goes to Capernaum with His first four disciples. Capernaum was a prosperous, well-developed town on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
We are told that Jesus and His disciples entered a synagogue there on the Sabbath. A synagogue was a place where Jews assembled to worship and to hear the OT scriptures being read out and explained. The teaching of the scriptures could be done by the leader of the synagogue, rabbi’s or by guest teachers such as scribes. On this occasion Jesus was a guest teacher.
When Jesus began to teach, we are told that those present were amazed or astonished. And the reason for their amazement was that Jesus taught with authority. We need to bear in mind the scribes also taught with authority. So, what was different about the authority of Jesus? The difference was that His authority was divine. His was the ultimate authority. We see this in the Greek word used for authority in verse 22. It is the word, ‘exousia’. Exousia is the authority that comes from what you are – from your very essence. And the essence of Jesus is that He is God. Jesus spoke out of His divinity. There is no greater authority. The scribes on the other hand were very learned men who were the equivalent of university professors with Phd’s. When they taught, they relied on non-biblical sources to support their ideas about the text.
So, what can we learn from this event about how we teach in the church? The answer is that we need to exercise the same authority that Jesus has. That authority comes through the Holy Spirit, our faith in Jesus and the word of God; the scriptures. Without all three elements in our teaching, we have no authority. Instead, we will be like the scribes. We must set aside our own opinions or prejudices.
The Word, the whole Word and nothing but the Word.
Verses 23 to 26
In verse 23 we are told that there was a man with an unclean spirit. An unclean spirit is just another name for a demon and a demon is an evil spirit that belongs to Satan’s kingdom. Demons are spiritual beings who look for opportunities to live in the bodies of human beings. They do this in order to do evil things in people. This could include restricting what the person can do or causing them to engage in sinful behaviour.
On this occasion a man in the synagogue was possessed by a demon. After Jesus had taught in the synagogue, the demon revealed itself. It did this by crying out and speaking to Jesus through the man. This was a dramatic and public way of revealing itself. This is typical of demons that feel threatened. It recognised Jesus and His authority. It knew that Jesus was a threat to its existence.
Notice how the demon used the word ‘us’ in verse 24. Does this mean that there were multiple demons in the man? No, it doesn’t. Verse 23 makes it clear that the man only had one demon. So, why does this demon use the word ‘us’? The answer is simple. The demon was speaking on behalf of all of the demons in Satan’s kingdom. Jesus was a threat to all of the demons in Satan’s kingdom and still is today.
Once the demon had revealed itself, we see how Jesus dealt with it in verse 25. He commands it to be silent and to come out of the man. And because of the authority that Jesus has the demon had to obey Him and that’s what it did. Notice that the demon makes a dramatic exit and causes the man to convulse. This is normal behaviour by a demon when leaving someone’s body.
When we are confronted by a demon in someone, we need to follow the example of Jesus and use His authority to command the demon to leave the person. And if we are firm and persistent, the demon will do as it is told.
Verses 27 to 28
When Jesus cast out the demon we see once again that those present were amazed. They were amazed because Jesus commanded the demon to leave the man and the demon obeyed Him. See verse 27. And you might ask, what’s so amazing about that? Well, nobody had ever done this before. The Jewish leaders of that time had ways of dealing with demons but they couldn’t do what Jesus did. (See Matthew 12:27 and Acts 19:13-14). Jesus has complete authority over demons and they must obey Him.
So, what lessons can we take form this incident with the demon? Well, here are a few for you to consider:
1. Jesus shows us that demons really do exist.
2. That demons can enter and dwell in a man’s body.
3. That demons can speak through the person that they dwell in.
4. That through the authority of Jesus, demons can be made to come out of someone.
5. That there is a spiritual battle taking place between two kingdoms – the kingdom of Jesus and the kingdom of Satan.
6. Jesus always wins this battle – His power and authority are far greater than Satan’s.
7. As we will see later in Mark’s Gospel, demonic activity and deliverance is common. See Mark 1:34.
And Finally
Here’s some food for thought. Demonic activity in the lives of people today is more common than most Christians realise.