Read Mark 1: 23-26.
In his first chapter, Mark records an incident where Jesus commanded an evil spirit to leave a man, whom Jesus met this man in the synagogue. Not the place where you might expect to encounter a man with an unclean spirit. He met him immediately after Mark records the wonder and amazement of the people at Jesus teaching. This use of one of Mark's favourite words is significant because it highlights that Jesus has an encounter with evil just after receiving approval from people. There is a lesson for us in this timing - the devil strikes when things are apparently going well.
The way the evil spirit addressed Jesus made it clear that the evil spirit was fully acquainted with Jesus - he recognised Him as Jesus of Nazareth but he also identified Him as 'the Holy One of God.' I used to take this at its face value and this was an indication that even the evil spirits recognised Jesus for who He is. At least one commentator suggests that there is an ulterior motive in this speech. Was the evil spirit trying to win over Jesus to His side? Was this evil spirit trying to ruin Jesus' reputation by association with the evil spirits? There is evidence that this was a charge which was levelled at the Saviour. They accused Him of driving out demons by the power of the prince of demons - Beelzebub or Beelzebul who was the heathen god whom the Jews regarded as the prince of the devils (Mark 3:22). So, according to some commentators, the evil spirit was trying to persuade Jesus to align with him and thereby ruin his reputation. The evil spirit was probably referring to Psalm 16:10 when he addressed Jesus as the Holy One of God. The devil and his agents have a knowledge of Scripture. But of course, the Son of God was fully aware of the deceit in this spirit's mind and He was going to demonstrate that he had power over demons.
The incident reveals that the powers of evil have a destructive and harmful control over human beings. Jesus' intervention prevented the evil spirit from hurting the man but it is clear that he would have hurt him and continued to harm him apart from the command from the Son of God to leave the man. In our very secular society, we do not speak of demon possession. But we see the harmful effects of alcohol and substance abuse. Scotland has an unenviable reputation with regard to drug deaths. Our society is also marred with domestic violence - mainly women as victims. Are these not manifestations of evil? What about pornography? What about child abuse and sexual exploitation?
Are we afraid to declare that the Son of God still has power over evil spirits in the 21st century? There is a powerful lesson from this recorded encounter between Jesus and the evil spirit. Jesus is stronger and more powerful than the devil. This is expanded in Luke's Gospel.
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.
Luke 11:21-22 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.11.21-22.NIV
[Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash]
This is the beginning of Jesus' binding of Satan, from his ministry through to death and Ascension (Mt 28:18, Col 2:15, Rev 20:1-9). Thankfully Satan is limited due to Christ's work and Spirit's presence on earth. Just hope I am not alive when Satan is let loose in future just before the 2nd Advent!