Miracles of Jesus - Part 5

Mark 1:21-28

After John the Baptist, was taken into custody Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of God, saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand refers to the coming of the Messiah and the time fixed by God for the introduction of it.

Just as it is today the people in Galilee were not well versed in the prophecies pertaining to the coming of the Messiah, nor did they observe the signs pertaining to the coming of the Messiah. Therefore, Jesus informed the people, as well as the religious leaders, the time for the coming of the Messiah has occurred; in fact, the one announcing the time for the coming of the Messiah, is the Messiah.

Jesus’ command to repent and believe had two purposes, first, contradiction of the popular belief that the Messiah would appear in external pomp and power. He would come not only to free the Jewish nation from the Roman yoke, but also to make it have dominion over all its neighbors. The second purpose was to reveal what the people must do in order to enter into the kingdom of God. They must repent and believe. They must turn from their wicked ways and return to God and faith in Jesus Christ.

This is something this nation needs to do.

By repentance, we must lament and forsake our sins, and by faith, we must receive the forgiveness of them. By repentance, we must give glory to our Creator whom we have offended; by faith, we must give glory to our Redeemer who came to save us from our sins. Both these must go together; we must not think either that reforming our lives will save us without trusting in the righteousness and grace of Christ, or that trusting in Christ will save us without the renewing of our hearts.

Want to enter into the kingdom of God, repent, believe, live a life of righteousness, and faith.

Mark does not include in his gospel the incident in the synagogue in Nazareth (Luke 14-30). Luke tells us after the incident Jesus “came down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority” (Mark 1:21).

Jesus did not teach as the scribes, who expounded the Law of Moses as a student says his lesson. However, Jesus taught as one that had authority, as one that knew the mind of God, and was commissioned to declare it.

There is much in the doctrine of Christ, that is astounding and the more we hear it, the more cause we should heed it.

In the synagogue in Capernaum, there was a man with an unclean spirit. He cried out “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth?” (Mark 1:24).

Why did the man with the unclean spirit cry out? Mark does not tell us. Perhaps he was trapped by resentment, self-loathing, or victimization. However, in his terror, he recognized a greater power. Out of a mixture of fear, anger, and even hope, he cried out. It seems he could not help himself. There, in the synagogue he exposed himself as unclean. He cried out, "Have you come to destroy us? I know who You are, the Holy One of God" (Mark 1:24).

This confession by the demons has special significance. Mark begins by stating that this is the good news about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark tells his readers right up front that Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus is God. As you read the book, you see that the disciples do not really know whom Jesus is. However, here in this miracle, you see that the unclean spirit knows who Jesus is. The unclean spirit thinks Jesus has come to judge. In Matthew the demons ask if Jesus has come to judge “before the time.” They think it is a little quick. Perhaps they know something about the timetable of the end times.

Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit. He tells him to be quiet and come out of the man (Mark 1:25). This is the same word used later in the stilling of the storm. Thus, we see that Jesus has the ability to still the supernatural forces and the natural forces.

The unclean spirit has no alternative, he must obey. However, before coming out of the man he throws him into convulsions and crying out with a loud voice he came out of the man. According to Luke the man was left unharmed (Luke 4:35). This shows us that although the demons recognize Jesus’ authority and power and have to submit, they submit unwillingly.

The effect upon the people, “They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? A new teacher with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him’” (Mark 1:27).

The witnesses to this miracle were amazed at His authority. They were amazed at His words before, and now at His works. However, amazement is not enough. Faith and obedience is essential. If demons are subject to the authority of Christ, we should be too. Theirs is involuntary, ours is voluntary, but we can and should submit.

This exorcism is a visible demonstration of the physical dimension of salvation. We are freed from the power of Satan.

Jesus spoke with authority and without quoting the scholars. The Pharisees and scribes always quoted their teachers, thinking their tradition had settled the issue of truth. What does this teach us? We should not be pharisaical. We should not be too dependent on tradition, thinking it has all the answers. We need to be open to the teaching of scripture.

In Mark's view, Jesus was not only the Messiah; He was a new prophet with the new authority to offer a new teaching. A successor to Moses had arisen.

We too, by the grace of God, experience the creative power of God in the church, in our cities, in these troublesome times. We just have to be open to, moved by his authority, and His presence. Whatever irrational forces we battle, Jesus Christ is stronger. His mere presence causes the demon to cry out. Knowing about Jesus is not the same thing as experiencing His liberating power, trusting in it, and then incorporating it as our own. Maybe that is why the people in Capernaum were amazed something happened in the process of Jesus saying words to them. It was an encounter. It was a meeting. Jesus met them where they were. Jesus touched them deeply and they were amazed.

May it be so for you as well.