Mark 1:23-28 – Supernatural authority and power

While many were still savoring the amazing teaching Jesus was bringing in the synagogue in Capernaum, a man with an unclean spirit disrupted the meeting. From the way the demon in that man cried out in defiance against Jesus, we can tell that evil spirits can recognize who Jesus is. They know details about Jesus. So, that spirit addressed the Lord, calling Him Jesus of Nazareth. That spirit also recognized that the Lord has the power and ability to destroy all evil spirits. So he asked, “Have you come to destroy us?” More evidently, that spirit also knew that Jesus is the Lord, so he declared – You are the Holy One of God.

What that demon said tells us that having knowledge alone is useless. Even with knowledge about Christ, that spirit continued to be defiant towards Him. He was just giving mental ascent to something he knew. True faith is knowing God in both the head and the heart. The knowledge we have about God in our head should have a sanctifying influence in our lives, and engender affection in our hearts for Him. We need to study to know Him more. We also need to apply what we have gleaned from our study and apply it to life. We should be led through the Word to cling to Him with undying devotion and great determination.   

This passage also shows us what authority and power Jesus has. Without loud hollering, Jesus rebuked the spirit in that man. Addressing that spirit, the Lord told him to be quiet and come out of that man. The way the spirit came out of that man reveals that all evil spirits have a violent nature. Throwing his victim into a violent convulsion, the spirit cried out loudly and left him. The point of Mark is this: Jesus has absolute power and authority. We see this in how that unclean spirit obeyed Him, and we also see it in how thunderstruck the audience was with His teaching, that brought about the amazing deliverance.   

In verse 28, the word “immediately” appears again. It shows that the wonderful news of Jesus’ work was ignited and it spread like wild fire. It spread throughout the region of Galilee. That Jesus, whose early ministry created such impact in the region of Galilee, is with us. His authority still rests with his Church today! Dare we stay nonchalant with such good news! Shouldn’t we be agents of that news and proclaim it with His authority and power? Let’s go forth in power!