Devotion: exorcism

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You because You are worthy to be praised. You are Holy and righteous, perfect and pure. We listen to You in humility and obedience, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Setting

Jesus taught in a synagogue on the Sabbath in Capernaum. Synagogue in Greek means a place of gathering. After the destruction of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem, the exilic Jews built synagogues in Babylon as gathering places to meet and practice Judaism.  After the exile, the Jews continued to build synagogues throughout Israel. The elements of a synagogue service include prayer, worship, and teaching from the Old Testament.

Mark 1:21-28

21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘’Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘’What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority, He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.’’ 

Mark 1:21-28

Commentary

Jesus taught, preached, and exorcised a demoniac man in the synagogue on a Sabbath day.

Sabbath is between sundown on Friday and sundown on Saturday.  The Jews were not allowed to do any work during the Sabbath. The Jewish leaders accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath because He healed the sick and exorcised demons on the Sabbath.

A demonized man manifested when Jesus taught with authority. 

The demon knew Jesus of Nazareth by name and called Him the Holy One of God. It trembled with fear at the sight of Jesus because He was God.

Jesus commanded the demon to come out of the man and when it didso, the man had a convulsion.

The people were amazed and immediately His fame spread throughout Galilee. Note the word ‘’immediately’’.

Application

The demon knew Jesus’ identity and called Him Jesus of Nazareth and the Holy One of God.

The demon was terrified at the sight of Jesus because He was God. 

Jesus taught with authority because He was, and is God. He did not have to study the Bible because He is the author of the Bible, 2 Timothy 3:16.

2 Timothy 3:16, Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us a glimpse of Jesus preaching, teaching, and exorcising a demonized man in a synagogue in Galilee 2000 years ago. Thank You for the testimony of Mark, a disciple of Peter, a cousin of Barnabas, and a missionary worker, who gave us this fast-paced book. Thank You for the blessings You give us, In Jesus’ name, Amen.