The Miracles of Jesus

Healing the Demon Possessed Man

Mark 1:21-28 ^NLT

Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil (unclean) spirit cried out, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”- Mark 1:23-24

 

“You believe that God is one; you do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder and bristle [in awe-filled terror—they have seen His wrath]!” ^{(James 2:19 AMP)}

Since Jerusalem was too far for many Jews to travel to for worship on a regular basis, many towns build synagogues of their own. The synagogues served as a place of worship and as a school. The young boys would be taught the Old Testament and the Jewish religion during the week. Saturdays the men would gather there to hear a teaching from the scriptures. Since there was no permanent Rabbi (Teacher) present in each town, the town leaders would ask travelling teachers to speak on occasion. This is why Jesus would go into the Synagogues of the towns he visited. He spoke with the authority of God because he was God.

Demons were the fallen angels who rebelled against God in alliance with Lucifer. They can do much harm to a person yet are powerless in the presence of Jesus. This is why we see the evil spirit (demon) cry out to Jesus in the manner in which he does. The reason I put James 2:19 under today’s text is to show what scripture says about demons in relation to Christ. In each case of demon possession in the New Testament we see that the demons knew exactly who Jesus was and what power he wielded. In Jesus day they were quite active as a means of displaying Christ’s power and authority over them.

Everywhere Jesus performed miracles the people were amazed and somewhat alarmed. They had never seen such power with their own eyes and didn’t understand what was happening or who this man was. Could this be the Messiah the OT prophets spoke about?

            How does this apply to us today?  God has complete power and control over his entire creation. Even the demons of hell must submit to his authority. Satan is a defeated foe. We must allow to sink into the deepest recesses of our brain that nothing is impossible for God. No one can stand against him. No force is greater than him. Everything that can be known is known by him. God is the great I AM. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning, and the end. He is the yea and the amen. Live for him and prosper even as your soul prospers. Amen. 

Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In his name & for his glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: Life Application Study Bible, footnotes from p.2098, Expositor's Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition): New Testament, Copyright 2004.