The Demoniac

Mark 1:21-28

Have you, or anyone you know, been in a situation in life that is so dismal, so wretched, that all seems hopeless?  The pit is so deep that you can’t even really see the light at the top, and you’re resigned that this is the way it will always be. No more prayers, no more seeking help.  In our Gospel reading for this week we see a man who is under demonic possession, and Jesus gives him deliverance, setting him free.

As I read this passage, I thought a lot about this man who Jesus set free, what it might have been like to be in that condition.  Demonic possession is a real condition.  Until about 150 or so years ago many mental illnesses were thought to be demon possessions, which was tragic, and now we know this isn’t the case.  Nonetheless, demonic possession is still a reality, and this man was one instance.  We don’t know any specifics about this man, or how he came to be under demonic possession.  It could have been brought on by his involvement in some type of addiction, or sexual perversion, or possibly his involvement in the occult or false religion and idolatry.

At the time that Jesus started His ministry, there was very little hope for anyone who was under demonic possession.  There were rabbis who would perform some exorcisms, some successful, but many not. As this wasn’t a medical condition, doctors were of no help.  I imagine demonic possession as starting out rather quietly and unobtrusively, as the demon or demons begin to take up residence inside a person.  Then, though, they begin to take over, and the behavior of the person changes drastically.  This would naturally cause a horrible disruption in the family, and usually the demon possessed would have to leave his family and community.  Being shunned, scorned, under such evil torment, and without any hope was a terrible existence.

All this time, whenever he would have come into the town, the community would likely have run him away.  This day, though, something in this demonic man led him to go to the synagogue. Perhaps some tiny flash of hope, hidden deep down inside of him, deep in his own spirit, started to quiver with life when he heard about Jesus.  Perhaps the demons tried to keep him from going there, but in spite of that, he went to where Jesus was teaching, where his only hope lay.

One thing about the spirit world, the world of angels and demons, they both know without any doubt exactly who Jesus truly is.  This day in the synagogue, the demons inside of this man cried out with their acknowledgement of the deity of Jesus (vs. 23-24).  They recognized that He was not just a “good” or “holy” man, a “good religious leader”, as many today just think of Jesus as. Jesus and the demonic world are two radically different kingdoms.  They have nothing in common.

When these demons spoke up, Jesus immediately spoke to them and commanded them to keep quiet and come out.  He didn’t need to speak twice, as they immediately obeyed (vs. 25-26).  When the rabbis occasionally performed exorcisms, sometimes they were effective, but often they weren’t. Jesus, though, has authority over everything! (vs. 27). Nothing outranks the Son of God.  In the presence of Jesus, Satan’s power is cancelled.  Satan must obey Him.

We can rejoice knowing that our Savior is Master over everyone and everything, including our enemy, Satan.  Jesus came to proclaim liberty to the captives (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18).   There is no condition that is beyond His help.