Jesus' Dominion over Demons and Diseases
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· 95 viewsRecognize Jesus' authority in his teaching, power, and healings.
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Introduction:
On July 20, 2012, a man entered a movie theater in Aurora Colorado with an assault rifle killing 12 people and injuring 70. The 2012 Aurora shooting was all over the news during that time as one of the greatest mass murders in U.S. History.
The suspect, James Holmes, had no previous criminal history and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. This man was sentenced to 12 life sentences.
Before he committed murder, Holmes was a Ph. D. student in Neuroscience. Growing up, he described hearing things of what he described as “nail ghosts” that would hammer the wall at night. He also claimed to see shadows and flickers at the corner of his eyes, which would fight each other with firearms and other weapons.
Before he committed this
He saw many social workers and psychiatrists concerning his disturbing behavior.
When on trial and asked the motive of the shooting, he responded,
“Terrorism isn’t the message. The message is there is no message.” While on trial, he looked “dazed” and “confused” causing people to further question his mental health.
His defense team tried to get him to avoid the death penalty on the grounds of mental illness.
On July 10, the defense showed two videos of Holmes' strange behavior in his jail cell. One video showed him running and slamming his head against the wall before sitting down, while the other showed him tethered to a bed while naked, attempting to cover his head with a blanket and then a sheet.
Why bring up this story?
Because in our secular world, we try to psychologize the “senseless evil” we see in our world. What would make a Ph. D. student who had no previous criminal history kill 12 and injure 70? Our world calls it mental illness, or a lack of gun control, or a education, or a lack of proper emotional support.
But the Bible is not afraid to address real evil in the world with real supernatural forces that tempt people to do really wicked and evil things in the world.
When this shooting occur, no one really had a answer because it just sounds complete insanity for someone to engage in senseless killing.
But like I said, the Bible presents to us a more coherent explanation by pointing to us to real evil in the world by wicked spiritual forces that oppose God and all that is good. This does not diminish man’s responsibility in committing evil, but it also shows us that greater forces of darkness are often at work that are not seen to to the visible eye.
The title of today’s message is Jesus’ dominion over demons and diseases. The Bible does not shy away from the evil we see in the world, but confronts this reality head on.
And what we see in the person of Jesus Christ is his power over the demonic world and the physical world as he heals in his ministry.
As believers, we are not to fear demons more than God because God is in complete control and sovereign over demons.
But at the same time, we are not to ignore them as well because there is a real spiritual war going on in which Satan and his armies try to cause great evil and destruction in the world. One of Satan’s titles is “father of lies” and “murderer from the very beginning.”
So we are going to look at a day in the life of Jesus today. We’re going to see how Jesus confronts the demonic world with his power and his authority to confirm his true identity.
We will see how the works of Jesus confirm to the identity and person of Jesus.
Background/Recap
We have seen John the Baptist prepare the way for Jesus. We have seen Jesus baptized in the Jordan to show his approval from heaven as heaven’s champion and the one who identifies himself with sinners. We have seen Jesus’ temptation in the the wilderness where he passes the test where Adam and Israel failed. And we have seen his proclamation of Good News as he calls and commissions his first followers.
Now Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee through his teaching and healings to show that the Kingdom of God has come in his person.
And as Jesus’ begins his public ministry, we see his authority exercised in three ways:
Teaching (vv. 21-22)
Power (vv. 23-28)
Healing (vv. 29-34)
Scripture Reading:
Mark 1:
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 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.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
How does Jesus display his authority and therefore confirms his identity as the Son of God? First, notice his authority in his teaching....
I. Authority in Teaching (vv. 21-22)
I. Authority in Teaching (vv. 21-22)
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
And they went into Capernaum.
And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
Capernaum, located on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, took its name from Heb. Kephar Nahum (“village of Nahum”). Archaeological evidence indicates that in the first century a harbor extended along a 2,500-foot promenade that was supported by an eight-foot-wide seawall. Piers extended from the promenade a hundred feet into the lake.
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark A Power Encounter in the Synagogue (1:21–28)
It was a significant lakeside settlement, sufficiently important to have a detachment of Roman troops (Mt. 8:5–13), a customs post (2:14), and a resident official described as βασιλικός (Jn. 4:46). Its population at the time may have been as high as 10,000
Capernaum was economically prosperous as a trade and fishing town. Jesus would do much of his ministry here and would have probably stayed with his disciples Andrew and Peter who had a fishing business.
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark A Power Encounter in the Synagogue (1:21–28)
Teaching is therefore clearly for Mark an essential part of Jesus’ messianic mission, and one which is uniquely appropriate to him (though, like other aspects of his mission, it can be shared by his disciples, 6:30).
And immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching (v. 21)
As a good Jew, Jewish would attend synagogues every Sabbath with his parents. The Sabbath began every Friday evening to Saturday evening.
The Temple used to be the centralized place of worship for the Jew, but once it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C., people had to worship in synagogues because there was no centralized place of worship.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
There was but one temple (in Jerusalem), whereas synagogues, the Greek derivation of which simply means “gathering places,” could be found throughout the Mediterranean world wherever ten or more Jewish males, thirteen years of age or older, were present.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
In postexilic Judaism the word “scribe” came to designate an expert in the Torah, of whom Ezra was the first in an illustrious line (Ezra 7:6, 11).
The service consisted of prayer, praise, reading of scripture, and exposition by any rabbi or other competent person.
Jewish Synagogues would be similar to a church service. There would be a lay leader who would often oversee the services of the Synagogue. They would protect and organize the scrolls. They would organize the songs. It was very similar to what we do in church services today for Christians were taking the practice of synagogues into their services.
Word Pictures in the New Testament Mark 1:21
The service consisted of prayer, praise, reading of scripture, and exposition by any rabbi or other competent person.
And often, guest teachers or rabbis were invited to give an exposition of the Scripture. Jesus may have already been known in the community and Jesus began teaching.
The New American Commentary: Mark (1) Teaching in the Synagogue and Exorcising an Evil Spirit (1:21–28)
Fifteen times Mark indicated that Jesus taught (also v. 22; 2:13; 4:1–2; 6:2, 6, 34; 8:31; 9:31; 10:1; 11:17; 12:14, 35; 14:49), and twelve times he referred to him as a teacher (see references in comments on 4:38).
Teaching was a priority in the ministry of Jesus as we will see. It does not give us the content of Jesus’ teaching, but the important point Mark is trying to make is result of Jesus’ teaching.
The New American Commentary: Mark (1) Teaching in the Synagogue and Exorcising an Evil Spirit (1:21–28)
They are signs of the advent of the kingdom of God. Especially do the exorcisms denote the breaking down of the reign of Satan and the establishing of the reign of God.
And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
They were amazed at his teaching. They were astonished at his teaching.
I like to watch America’s Got Talent sometimes. Sometimes, people do some incredible acts. Whether it is putting an apple on a judge, and shooting an arrow through the apple on his head. Or whether it is doing a magic trick that leaves the judges speechless, the judges are amazed at what they see.
Well, in the same way, when Jesus taught, the people were amazed. They were saying, “wow!”, where did this guy come from? How did he do that? Every word was perfectly crafted and illustrated. Jesus was a master teacher. Minds were blown away as Jesus taught.
Why was his teaching so amazing?
For he taught them as one who had authority, not as the scribes.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
In postexilic Judaism the word “scribe” came to designate an expert in the Torah, of whom Ezra was the first in an illustrious line (Ezra 7:6, 11).
Scribes were revered, for they had the title of “Rabbi” which means “my great one.” They were scholars, professors, lawyers. They were the erudite and elite of society because of their learning and study.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
The scribes derive their authority from the “tradition of the elders” (7:8–13)—the fathers of Judaism, we might say; whereas Jesus receives his authority directly from the Father in heaven (1:11)
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
“Unclean” indicates that which is polluted or contaminated, which in a Jewish perspective is tantamount to ungodly
However, when Jesus was teaching and preaching, he wasn’t quoting from tradition or a scribe. He wasn’t quoting from a commentary. He wasn’t quoting from his favorite teacher. He wasn’t quoting from MacArthur. He didn’t need to quote because his teaching was not derived from tradition or interpretation of various rabbis, but his teaching was derived from heaven itself.
Jesus taught with authority because He was the Son of God who came from heaven. Authority refers to his influence and his power. It was authoritative teaching. He wasn’t giving opinion or good thoughts about Scripture. He was speaking like a prophet who spoke on behalf of God. More than that, he was speaking the Word of God with authority because He was the Word of God incarnated.
But when Jesus spoke, he didn’t speak on behalf of God, he spoke like God because He was God.
Application:
Everyone believes in some type of authority whether you acknowledge it or not. Authority may be tradition you have inherited from family or religion. Authority may be in some individual with great credentials. For modern people, authority is derived from self or one’s own experience.
Tradition can err. People can err. Experience and self can err. But God never errs, and therefore God’s authority must be absolute. And Jesus’ authority came from God himself.
But for the Christian, the authority we believe in is in the authority of Jesus’ word. This is why we believe the Bible. Jesus believed and quoted the Bible, so do we. And if we want to be effective and teach with authority like our Master, our authority must come from the Bible alone.
Jesus’ still exercises His Authority today through the regular exposition of Scripture.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
Even Jesus would quote “It is written” to refer to the authoritative nature of God’s Word.
This is why it is so important to find a church and submit to a church that submits to the authority of Jesus’ word found in the Scriptures.
We don’t have our own authority, but we have derived authority from the One who has all authority because His teaching is from God.
Transition: But we not only see Jesus’ authority in his teaching, notice Jesus’ authority in his power…His teaching was not only effective, but powerful. Things happen when Jesus taught. People were changed. Lives were changed whenever he taught.
II. Authority in Power (vv. 23-28)
II. Authority in Power (vv. 23-28)
And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, “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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 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.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
As he was teaching in the synagogue, the was a man with an unclean spirit.
As mentioned in the introduction, could it be that a lot of the senseless killing is not only due to mental illness, but due to demonic oppression and influence?
We in the West try to psychologize and explain it away because we have been influenced by Enlightenment ideas.
But for the rest of the world and I would argue the majority of human civilization, man has always believed in the Supernatural and evil forces. The rest of human civilization and many world religions believed that there is a a cosmic conflict between good and evil.
Here comes a man with an unclean spirit or a demon possessed man. There may have been increased activity during Jesus’ time because of Jesus arrival and confrontation with the domain of the darkness.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
“Unclean” indicates that which is polluted or contaminated, which in a Jewish perspective is tantamount to ungodly
Unclean spirit is used also as demon-possessed in Mark’s Gospel. Unclean Spirit is something defiled, impure, and referring to the demonic realm.
This man was crying out. The cry was a “scream” or a “shriek”. This is something you see in a horror movie.
The NT does not shy away from talking about the invisible realm of evil and demonic host.
And notice that the unclean spirit who possessed the man speaks:
“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.”
“What do you want with us?” He calls him Jesus of Nazareth identifying Jesus with his hometown. He is identifying the man Jesus who was born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth.
But he also identifies Jesus as God.
Have you come to destroy us?
Jesus is having a face to face confrontation with the forces of evil and the kingdom of Satan. He says us referring to himself and the man he is possessing, or speaking on behalf of the demonic realm.
The demon immediately recognizes who Jesus is and says not only is he Jesus of Nazareth, but the Holy One of God.
The Psalms speak of the Messiah who is the Holy One and Isaiah speaks of the Lord as the Holy One. The demons are recognizing Jesus’ sovereign authority not only as man, but as God in flesh. He is the Holy One. He is the set apart One.
Jesus’ Power Displayed (vv. 25-26)
And notice the power of Jesus displayed.
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.
Be silent is better translated “Be muzzled!” Or to put it colloquially, “Shut up!” Jesus told the demon to shut up and commanded the demon to come out of him. Jesus didn’t use some spell. He didn’t use some prop. He didn’t use some magic formula.
The Gospel of Mark 3. A New Teaching—With Authority. Ch. 1:21–28
In contrast to contemporary exorcists, who identified themselves by name or by relationship to some deity or power, who pronounced some spell or performed some magical action, Jesus utters only a few direct words, through which his absolute authority over the demonic power that had held the man captive was demonstrated. The unclean spirit convulsed the possessed man, and with a loud shriek left him.
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark A Power Encounter in the Synagogue (1:21–28)
There is no incantation, no ritual, no ‘props’ of any kind, simply an authoritative word of command. That seems to settle the matter.
Who commands things into existence or out of existence when He speaks? God does. And Jesus does the same thing as God because He is God.
The New American Commentary: Mark (1) Teaching in the Synagogue and Exorcising an Evil Spirit (1:21–28)
They are signs of the advent of the kingdom of God. Especially do the exorcisms denote the breaking down of the reign of Satan and the establishing of the reign of God.
And the man is convulsing and screaming, so this must have been a scene and it came out of him.
And the man is convulsing and screaming, so this must have been a scene and it came out of him.
I can only imagine what would happened if there was a a church service where a demon-possessed man entered into our service and was screaming and speaking in split personalities.
Pastor Alex, can you do something about it. I would read Scripture and pray. But I would say, “wait here and let me call pastor nelson to see what he can do about it.”
The Gospel of Mark 3. A New Teaching—With Authority. Ch. 1:21–28
In contrast to contemporary exorcists, who identified themselves by name or by relationship to some deity or power, who pronounced some spell or performed some magical action, Jesus utters only a few direct words, through which his absolute authority over the demonic power that had held the man captive was demonstrated. The unclean spirit convulsed the possessed man, and with a loud shriek left him.
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark A Power Encounter in the Synagogue (1:21–28)
There is no incantation, no ritual, no ‘props’ of any kind, simply an authoritative word of command. That seems to settle the matter.
The New American Commentary: Mark (1) Teaching in the Synagogue and Exorcising an Evil Spirit (1:21–28)
They are signs of the advent of the kingdom of God. Especially do the exorcisms denote the breaking down of the reign of Satan and the establishing of the reign of God.
Not so with Jesus. His command was an authoritative command. He spoke, and the demon listened. The only type of person who has the power to speak and command where demons listen is God. And Mark is showing us that Jesus is God.
Not so with Jesus. His command was an authoritative command. He spoke, and the demon listened. The only type of person who has the power to speak and command where demons listen is God. And Mark is showing us that Jesus is God.
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.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
Again, everyone in the synagogue was amazed. His teaching was not only amazing, but his teaching had power in it. His teaching commands even the demonic host. And Jesus fame spread throughout Galilee by word of mouth over what had happened.
Application:
If Demons recognize authority of Jesus, it shows how rebellious and fallen we are when we ignore his authority. Our indifference to Jesus confirms our fallen and rebellious nature.
This shows the sinfulness of the human heart. Demons fall and tremble before Jesus Christ, and yet we often treat Jesus as a “friendly” Jesus who has no power or we treat him with indifference because we do not really know who he actually is.
Whenever someone encountered the real Jesus, they either fell at his feet to worship him or they were seeking to kill him. There was no middle ground with Jesus.
You can be amazed at Jesus, but never be changed by Jesus. You can be amazed at Jesus’, but never love Jesus. You can be amazed at Jesus, but never submit your life to Jesus.
Church people can do it all the time. They can be amazed at Jesus, but never be changed by Jesus.
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
Demons are afraid of Jesus and submit to Him because they are fearful of their punishment.
But you can also submit to Jesus and be fearful of future punishment and not exercise true saving faith.
Demons assent to Jesus, but they don’t love Jesus. Demons recognize Jesus, but they don’t trust Jesus.
Ask yourself, “Do I love and trust Jesus because I recognize who he really is?” Or Is Jesus someone who I am amazed at, but never really changing who I am from the inside?
Church
Our church must center on Christ. We sing of Jesus’ greatness. We worship Him for who He is. We preach of his conquest over the demonic host and hope in his future conquest when He returns.
If Jesus went to the synagogue every Sabbath to worship, so should we as we submit to his authority and lordship over our lives.
Secular Mind
The Bible is not afraid of speaking of supernatural. There is pervasive evil in the world that cannot just be reduced to mental illness of explained pyschologically. The solution is not necessarily better gun control laws, or counseling, or education, or prescriptions for medication. The solution that people need is the power of Jesus to conquer demonic hosts and they need converted hearts by those who have been oppressed by forces of evil. The great need of humanity is the Kingdom of God. And the great response to man’s pervasive evil in his own heart is repentance and faith in the Messiah.
The New American Commentary: Mark (1) Teaching in the Synagogue and Exorcising an Evil Spirit (1:21–28)
They are signs of the advent of the kingdom of God. Especially do the exorcisms denote the breaking down of the reign of Satan and the establishing of the reign of God.
Christian
A Christian does not need to fear demon possession because the Bible says:
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
We should not be seeking to have exorcism ministries, but we should be doing evangelism as people hear and respond the truth. It is not our job to go out seeking demons, but seeking the lost by whom demons oppress and have built strongholds of lies within their minds to keep them from seeing the truth.
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:
Transition: Jesus exercises great authority in his teaching, his his power in his exorcism, but finally, he exercises great authority in his healing.
Jesus goes from public ministry to private ministry in the home of Peter and Andrew. Synagogue services would normally end around noon as well, and Jesus goes to the home of Peter and Andrew.
III. Authority in Healing (vv. 29-34)
III. Authority in Healing (vv. 29-34)
And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Simon and Andrew may have lived in Capernaum to continue their operations for their fishing business.
Jesus goes into the home of his disciples and it shows us he cares for normal common people like Simon’s mother in law.
Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.
Although the Catholic church believes that Peter never married, the Gospels tell us otherwise.
Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?
Simon’s mother in law lay ill with a fever. Luke tells us it was a great fever.
Andrew and Simon must have taken her into their home to care for her.
I’m sure many of you have felt the cold or flu this season. You may have massive headaches, or constant coughing, and feel weak where you cannot fulfill your daily responsibilities.
All you can do is lay in bed.
And before the invention of modern medical technology, it was more difficult to get immediate relief.
Peter’s mother in law couldn’t just drive to CVS or Target to buy medicine. She couldn’t go to the doctor to get prescription for medicine. All she could do was lay in bed and hope that the fever would leave her.
And notice what Jesus does for her.
And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
All Jesus did was come to her, take her by the hand, and lifted her. And immediately, the fever left her.
Just by touching her, the fever was gone. Who would want to be healed like that? Instantaneous and immediate healing. She had no lingering cough or lingering symptoms. She was immediately healed.
I’m skeptical of healing ministries. Come to our church service to be healed. But you won’t see these healers in hospitals.
Jesus’ healings were immediate, instantaneous, and verifiable.
What happens take place today in these healing crusades are just con artists trying to take advantage of the poor and the sick.
Their “healings” often are not immediate, instantaneous, and verifiable. You know the presence of a false teacher if they are appealing for greater faith and money in their healing ministries.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I believe God does miracles and can heal today. But the way Jesus healed and the apostles healed were different than what we see today. And when they healed, it was verifiable for all to see. And the purpose of the miracle was to confirm the identity and authority of Christ and his apostles and thus validate the message they preached.
There are even times where Jesus choose not to do miracles and heal because people were only coming to Jesus to be healed and not be saved from their sin.
And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
Mark
But with Peter’s mother in Law, this was a true healing from God.
And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.
How do you know that?
She began to serve them.
Serve is where we get the word deacon from. She began to wait on a table. Or she began getting the adobo or the tiliapia ready for them. She began to cook. “Come eat Jesus”.
“Jesus performed miracles, not to provide free health care but to affirm the true gospel and to validate His claim to be the Messianic King, the Son of God, and the World” John MacArthur.
And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
After sundown because it was the close of the Sabbath and the beginning of the first day of the week. All the people heard of Jesus fame and were coming to Jesus for healing. He healed many with various diseases and cast out many demons.
Jesus healing is holistic. He is both Lord of the spiritual and physical realm. Jesus has the power over the spiritual and physical realm.
And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
Our ministry must care for the whole person. We should care for both spiritual and physical needs of people. As John Piper once said,
“All Christians should care about suffering, especially eternal suffering”.
And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. Why does Mark include this?
Jesus’ already knew his validation from God. He may have not allowed demons to speak to create further controversy between the religious leaders because they may have accused him that his identity was only coming from demons, which in fact they would later charge him.
Gospel
The point of these two scenes in the day in the life of Jesus is that Jesus is bringing about a new order. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand become the King has come near. And the signs that accompany the Kingdom are signs that show the King is here and near.
Although we experience evil in this world in the form of demonic oppression and physical illness, Jesus is coming to renew and remake all of creation. Jesus is giving a preview of the future kingdom where there will be no more demons or diseases. There will be a day when all evil will be vanquished from God’s created order.
How does he do that?
He would conquered demons and diseases by dying on the cross for man’s sins.
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
And he would rise again from the dead to be the firstfruits of a future resurrection body that is free from disease and sickness.
So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.
Jesus would conquer evil by absorbing all the evil in the world when he was nailed to the cross. And his resurrection from the grave shows his victory over evil. And his return One day will be the complete annihilation of all evil from his presence.
1 corinthians 15
and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Do you see Jesus’ authority in his teaching? His power over the demonic? His compassion in his healing?
Conclusion
Have you recognized Jesus authority over your life?
His teaching.
His power.
His compassion in healing.
Do you recognize who Jesus is? If so, then repent and believe in the good news. Submit to the King. And look to the King to vanquish all evil as we wait for Him and live for Him.
The Believer need not be afraid of what happens in this world because Jesus our Conquerer has come and has dealt with evil at the cross and will vanquish evil completely when he comes again. He calls us to trust in Him in the meantime.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly pow'rs, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth;
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
The Gospel of Mark 3. A New Teaching—With Authority. Ch. 1:21–28
In contrast to contemporary exorcists, who identified themselves by name or by relationship to some deity or power, who pronounced some spell or performed some magical action, Jesus utters only a few direct words, through which his absolute authority over the demonic power that had held the man captive was demonstrated. The unclean spirit convulsed the possessed man, and with a loud shriek left him.
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark A Power Encounter in the Synagogue (1:21–28)
It was a significant lakeside settlement, sufficiently important to have a detachment of Roman troops (Mt. 8:5–13), a customs post (2:14), and a resident official described as βασιλικός (Jn. 4:46). Its population at the time may have been as high as 10,000
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark A Power Encounter in the Synagogue (1:21–28)
Teaching is therefore clearly for Mark an essential part of Jesus’ messianic mission, and one which is uniquely appropriate to him (though, like other aspects of his mission, it can be shared by his disciples, 6:30).
The New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Gospel of Mark A Power Encounter in the Synagogue (1:21–28)
There is no incantation, no ritual, no ‘props’ of any kind, simply an authoritative word of command. That seems to settle the matter.
The New American Commentary: Mark (1) Teaching in the Synagogue and Exorcising an Evil Spirit (1:21–28)
Fifteen times Mark indicated that Jesus taught (also v. 22; 2:13; 4:1–2; 6:2, 6, 34; 8:31; 9:31; 10:1; 11:17; 12:14, 35; 14:49), and twelve times he referred to him as a teacher (see references in comments on 4:38).
The New American Commentary: Mark (1) Teaching in the Synagogue and Exorcising an Evil Spirit (1:21–28)
They are signs of the advent of the kingdom of God. Especially do the exorcisms denote the breaking down of the reign of Satan and the establishing of the reign of God.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
Capernaum, located on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, took its name from Heb. Kephar Nahum (“village of Nahum”). Archaeological evidence indicates that in the first century a harbor extended along a 2,500-foot promenade that was supported by an eight-foot-wide seawall. Piers extended from the promenade a hundred feet into the lake.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
There was but one temple (in Jerusalem), whereas synagogues, the Greek derivation of which simply means “gathering places,” could be found throughout the Mediterranean world wherever ten or more Jewish males, thirteen years of age or older, were present.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
In postexilic Judaism the word “scribe” came to designate an expert in the Torah, of whom Ezra was the first in an illustrious line (Ezra 7:6, 11).
Scribes were revered, for they had the title of “Rabbi” which means “my great one.”
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
The scribes derive their authority from the “tradition of the elders” (7:8–13)—the fathers of Judaism, we might say; whereas Jesus receives his authority directly from the Father in heaven (1:11)
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
“Unclean” indicates that which is polluted or contaminated, which in a Jewish perspective is tantamount to ungodly
Word Pictures in the New Testament Mark 1:21
The service consisted of prayer, praise, reading of scripture, and exposition by any rabbi or other competent person.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
In postexilic Judaism the word “scribe” came to designate an expert in the Torah, of whom Ezra was the first in an illustrious line (Ezra 7:6, 11).
Scribes were revered, for they had the title of “Rabbi” which means “my great one.”
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
The scribes derive their authority from the “tradition of the elders” (7:8–13)—the fathers of Judaism, we might say; whereas Jesus receives his authority directly from the Father in heaven (1:11)
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Mark The Authority of Jesus (1:21–28)
“Unclean” indicates that which is polluted or contaminated, which in a Jewish perspective is tantamount to ungodly