Who Is This Man? Part 1

Who is this man? Is a question that everyone must eventually answer.

Have you?

In this study through the Gospel of Mark, I want to challenge you to let the Biblical text determine the answer to that question for you. Who is Jesus?

Mark 1:21–28 (ESV)

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.

22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,

24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”

25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”

26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.

27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

Something was different about this teacher, Jesus. He was recognized as a teacher, yes, one with authority, who spoke not from the words of others of His own wisdom. The power of God was on display. That is evident to witnesses at Jesus’ baptism, as He began His ministry, it was seen by His followers as He called them out, and now here in the synagogue.

But, when the power of God is displayed, we can be sure that the power of darkness will seek to counter. And that is exactly what happened here. As Jesus taught the truth found in the Word of God, the enemy steps out of the shadows seeking to overcome the light of life.

We often seek to minimize the power of evil in this world, explaining it away with clinical diagnosis, psychosis, or a reaction to drug use. Terminology gets watered down and media has made the dark entertaining and worth engaging. We play with words and, without even realizing it, acknowledge the darkness around us. We say things like “What’s gotten into you lately” or “I’ve just not been myself” or “something has come over me.”

The person in this passage was not ill, he was demon possessed. A spiritual force had taken control of the man in order to separate the man from God and God’s purpose.

And this darkness sought to oppose the power of God and disrupt the mission of God.

Observations from the Battlefield

When the Word is proclaimed, opposition will soon follow

Read verses 22-23

Obedience will always bring opposition. If you are not aware of a spiritual war being waged in your life, you may need to wake up! Has the evil won already gained the victory in your life?

The opposition’s strength is a deception

Read verse 24

The demon(s) acknowledged Jesus for WHO HE IS.

Jesus of Nazareth — Jesus’ humanity

the Holy One of God — Jesus’ divinity

You need to understand a very important truth: The ways of the world are a lie! Don’t buy into them.

Jesus is greater

Read verses 25-26

The demon(s) admitted inferiority to Jesus — “Have you come to destroy us?”

Jesus exercised dominion over the darkness with a simple word. Jesus muzzled the demon(s) with a word. These same words are used in the calming of the storm.

The demon tried to exert authority with a word, but the character of Christ could not be overcome. Instead, the very word of Jesus subdued the demon.

We cannot miss this, the power of God is greater than the power of darkness. Yes, darkness will constantly strive to overcome the light in this world. We will experience the constant barrage of waves because the enemy is desperate. Time is short. Therefore, we must stand firm. Not in our own power, but in the power of God that can destroy strongholds.

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 ESV

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Isaiah 54:17 ESV

17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”

What’s the Point?

We must deal with the struggle of the flesh in order to walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:17 ESV

17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

We must acknowledge the reality of the world we live in. There is a battle raging in our hearts.

1 John 1:8 ESV

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Romans 7:18 ESV

18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.

The sooner we acknowledge this reality, the better we will be equipped to handle it.

Romans 6:6 ESV

6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

Sin is a problem....a problem that has already been resolved.

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus took care of it.

1 John 1:9 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We find healing, hope, and strength to overcome through confession, repentance, and trust in God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Galatians 5:16 ESV

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

We can live from victory, with strength in the power of God because of what Jesus has already done. We must believe in this message. And we must share this message.

Remember though, when we share the truth, the darkness will be stirred against us. But Jesus has power and authority over the darkness! And if we are in Christ, so do we!

“So, why are you afraid? Do you have no faith?”

Are you prepared for battle?