(Mark 1:21-28 ESV)
So what exactly is an unclean spirit?
Depends a bit on who you talk to. Most would say it is a demon. Others say that is a spirit that is opposing God. Others say it is an evil spirit.
I do know that in this passage, it is very much a spirit that is opposing God.
Jesus went into the synagogue to teach.
In fact he was teaching as one who had authority and not as one who was simply sharing what he had learned. Jesus had authority.
And this man with the unclean spirit challenged him. “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.”
Jesus' response to him is immediate. Be silent, and come out of him! Jesus doesn't equivocate. He immediately commands and it is done.
Did you notice that?
As soon as Jesus was finished talking, the man convulsed and the spirit came out of him crying out with a loud voice.
And so the people were amazed.
Not only did Jesus teach with authority, he could even command unclean spirits to come out AND have them obey him!!!!
The shock that must have spread through the people. It was all they could talk about and before long everyone in the surrounding area of Galilee knew of Jesus of Nazareth.
So here we have it.
Jesus.. teaching with authority.
Jesus...commanding unclean spirits with authority.
Mark makes it very clear in this passage that Jesus is one who has authority.
The question is what do we do with that?
Do we just blindly accept it? Or do we do what the people did then... be so amazed by this authority that we tell everyone about it?
I know what I do... I tend to keep my mouth shut and live my life quietly.
BUT I am learning.
I am learning to speak out about my Lord and My God.
He shows me more and more opportunities to speak out about why I do things, and how great God truly is.
How about you?