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Mark 1:21 – 28
The Lord We Need

People were very often awestruck by what Jesus said and did.  Sometimes their responses weren't the most appropriate, but at least they were moved!  Now, these nineteen centuries later, we aren't so moved as they were.  We're surrounded by amazing gadgetry and world-shaking events, and the result is that we think we have to remain sophisticated and unmoved.  Only children are awestruck by anything in our day, and we make every effort to kill that kind of response by the time they're ten years old!  We talk about awe-inspiring scenes, but are we inspired to awe?  Not very often.

As we read the four Gospels, though, it would do us well to stop, to consider, to meditate, and to try to see the scenes before us the way the people of that day saw them – and to be moved as they were.

In the passage before us today, for example, people came into the synagogue, heard Jesus teach, observed the exorcism of a terrified demon, and they were, to translate more literally the word that's used here, "struck out of their minds!"  May that – today – be the least of our reactions!

To understand the events of the passage before us as we should, though, we need to begin by thinking about something Paul said.  In his second letter to Timothy, He warned Timothy against the perils of the last days, particularly of the many temptations to sin that would then become prevalent.  Then, at the end of the warning, he makes an emphatic statement about those – in the church – who fall to the temptations and practice the sins.  He says that they are, "holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power. . ."

Many times in the centuries since Paul's warning what he warned about has happened. At the beginning, the first-century Church was vital, fresh, and sensitive to their Lord.  By the third or fourth century, though, there were many, tragically, who were taking advantage of the faith to promote themselves.  Such men even assumed positions of prominence in the Church, pretended to have a "handle" on the truth, and regulated men's behavior for the mere sake of demonstrating their own authority.  They had a "form of godliness, " but they had "denied its power."

So it was also after the greatest revival the Church every experienced - the Reformation.  Even after that great movement of God it wasn't long before men began to take advantage of position and authority for their own benefit.  And so it has also been with all subsequent revivals in the Church.  At their beginnings, each revival has produced concern for real godliness in the context of a living, vital relationship with the Lord.  Then, as time has gone on, fewer and fewer Church leaders have been concerned with that living, vital relationship, and more and more concern has been given to preservation of positions as leaders and to demonstration of authority.

It's still the same.  It's not hard to find those in our own day who hold "to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power."  And we are all in danger.  We need constant prayer that God may often visit us with His merciful, reviving fire, not so that new denominations and movements may be born, but so that we may become and remain alive and sensitive toward our Lord and His Word!  We need to pray particularly for our leaders, that our heavenly Father may save them from being concerned to preserve their positions and demonstrate their authority.  We need to pray that they may have hearts tender toward their Lord.

The point is that men have often used a supposed expertise in religion to prop up their authority over others.  And it was a problem in Jesus' day too.  The wonderful and lively teaching of the Word of God by the Scribes in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah had tragically degenerated.  By the time Jesus began to enter the synagogues of Galilee, Samaria, or Judea religion had become a stage for the learned to "strut their stuff".

In that day, visiting scribes called "Sopherim" would often come into a synagogue on a Sabbath, be introduced as famous and reverend authorities, and be accorded ample opportunity to "teach the people."  Such guest preachers would quote long-windedly from dozens of esteemed rabbis concerning what were sometimes totally insignificant and trivial points of behavior – all in order to pompously demonstrate their own learnedness and authority.

In the account before us, Jesus Himself was the "guest rabbi."  But He was different!  He didn't quote authorities other than Moses and the prophets.  He spoke simply and directly, yet lovingly and gently of the Kingdom of God, of repentance and faith, and of relationship to Himself, the Messiah of the living God!  Every word He said was backed by His own obvious and lively relationship to God.  The people were dumfounded, shocked, absolutely amazed at His teaching, for He taught them "as One having authority, and not as the scribes!"  Unlike those of the visiting sopherim, His words powerfully moved hearts.

We need the same today.  We need our Lord to come, to be in our midst, and to teach us about a genuine, sensitive, and living relationship with our God.  We need revival that results from the quiet, inner moving of the Holy Spirit, working with His Word – in our own hearts and in the hearts of our teachers and preachers – as we hear it taught.  There are many scribes, many "sopherim" today, but we need our living Lord. 

And He's still willing to come!  It only takes our prayerful petition.  He will hear.  He will come.  He will revive!  By His Spirit He will come and speak to us words of truth and power.  Pray to the Jesus Who stirred hearts in His day.  Pray to the Jesus Who is still willing to stir us today.  Pray that He'll speak to and through today's teachers and preachers.

Just as amazing to the people as His preaching on this particular occasion was our Lord's powerful and authoritative action against the demon who came into the synagogue.  What He did was like an exclamation point to His wonderful preaching, and it also reveals to us a gracious Lord, a Lord Who will not allow Satan's evil servants to interfere with our hearing of His Word.  Mark tells us about it.

He says there was a man "in a spirit of uncleanness."  That word "in" tells us that the man was fully cooperating with the evil spirit.  He was "in a spirit," and the spirit was in him.  Using the human body of the man, the spirit came into the synagogue and immediately recognized Jesus – and was completely terrified!  Using the man's voice, he screamed out that terror.

He created quite a stir.  His words were not the man's words but those of the unclean spirit, screaming out in terror, "What are You doing here, Jesus?  We have nothing in common!  I know what you're here for – You're going to destroy us (speaking of all such demons)!  You're the Holy One of God!  You're against us – totally opposed to such as we are, because You are Holy, You are from God, and we are unholy, unclean, and from beneath!"  They feared for their very existence in the world.  They feared that they would be immediately cast into the pit!

Jesus didn't scream back.  He didn't need to.  He quietly but firmly rebuked the spirit, commanded him to silence, and ordered him to leave. Obedience was immediate and total!

The Greek word here translated "rebuked" is interesting.  It's a compound word that could literally be translated, "He placed His honor upon" this evil spirit.  It doesn't mean that He honored the spirit, but that He placed His own great value, His own great Honor – His own authority as Son of God – in what He said to him.  His Honor commands this unclean spirit to silence and to departure!

We need to be reminded that this same Honor, the Honor, the glory, the majesty, and the power of this same holy God-man can still be present.  He hasn't changed.  He still loves His people, and He will still protect them with the same authority exhibited here.  Like this man, we are sometimes very weak before the fallen servants of Satan, but if we ask our Lord to keep us from their power, He can and will do so. 

He encouraged us to ask for that protection in the model prayer that He taught His disciples.  He told them to say, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."  Surely He would not give us such a prayer if He didn't intend to answer it!

We read that the people were amazed that "even the unclean spirits obey Him."  It's good that they were amazed.  It's a greater response than we sometimes have.  But there should have been a little more to their response than there was, for though they were filled with amazement, yet they didn't ask "Who" this was, but only "what" this exciting event meant.  That's surprising.  The great deed done by our Lord should have led them to focus upon the Doer of the deed, rather than upon the deed.  But instead, they focussed upon the exciting exorcism.

Where's our focus?  Are we seekers of excitement in our Christianity – exorcisms, healings, etc. - or are we moved – are we awestruck – by our Lord Himself, and do we therefore worship Him as Lord?  In our own day, just as in Mark's time, if we seek Him, good things will happen, but if we seek only exciting events, we must remain estranged from the Lord of events.

Can you see Him through Mark's eyes?  In your mind's eye can you see Him stride into the synagogue, ask for the scrolls, and begin teaching in that quiet, even voice?  Can you sense the power with which He taught – this One Who is the Lord from heaven? Do you – and does the preacher in your church – at least occasionally become aware of that presence and power during the teaching of His Word?

And then can you feel a little of the abject terror of the demon, terror that comes from facing the Judge of all?  And do you see with what triumphant power our Lord cast him out, absolutely preventing him from interfering with the awe and reverence of the few present who might be truly – inwardly – hearing His wonderful teaching?  May you and I be moved by our LORD!

Thank-you Pastor. Illuminating once more!

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, forever.He's still casting out demons and healing the sick.  He is alive.

Re those who "strut their stuff". I received a letter from a U.S.  ministry last week., It stated if I had any debts to send them the sum total!!! Needless to say the only debt I owe is to Jesus Christ.  He gives without any charge. Yes we need to be very careful . There are some who say they are doing the Lord's work but they are of the "synagogue of satan". Rev 2:9

Jesus does fill me with awe.  It must have been really amazing for people in His time on earth though.  They didn't see 3D images on T.V. screens etc., They had the "Truth".

I am having a quiet read of Mark again now with my tea..

It would really be much more edifying, though, if you'd drink green tea.  Or at least Oolong tea.

That was great, Pastor Al.  It is sad how churches and people have lost that feeling of 'awe' or reverence...I can't help but wonder about the countries where huge revivals are taking place.  Is it based on a solid foundation or emotionalism?  How easy for the  Anti-Christ to step in and gain control.

How true, Liz.  But remember that "the battle is the Lord's."  He'll win the final victory, and His Church (every single one of them) will finally be with Him where He is!  Start praising Him now!

Adam's Ale is even better Pastor.


"They shall all flow together" Amen!

                  Praise God.Yes Liz.

As long as Adam didn't make it.  But the very mention of it makes me go, ahhhhhhh!

We need revival that results from the quiet, inner moving of the Holy Spirit, working with His Word – in our own hearts and in the hearts of our teachers and preachers – as we hear it taught.  


I like this part of your posting, dear Al.

I always felt that the quiet one among us have a "hot line" to the LORD.

I like to read messages like yours with the mind of a innocent child that is inside of us all.

I feel reading it this way, so peaceful and quiet; so trusting that the message we hear will be from the LORD himself makes me discern the message better.

You have a delightful way in bringing the message home to me and for that I am thankful.

Take care and as always,

Love in CHrist,

Joyce

I'd appreciate it if this were not pushed down to page 2 and beyond - want people to be able to find it!

As people study it and comment it will be up at the top of the list, Al.