Mark 1 -- In CHURCH??

“Just then, a man was there in the synagogue who had an evil spirit in him … Jesus healed many who had different kinds of sicknesses, and He forced many demons to leave people.”

 

A man with a demon in the synagogue!  It’s enough to make us wonder how many there might be in our churches today as well!  “It took the presence of the Son of God to expose the demon … The demon certainly knew exactly who Jesus is … The demon’s use of plural pronouns shows how closely he was identified with the man through whom he was speaking.  The demon clearly identified Christ’s humanity (“Jesus of Nazareth”) as well as His deity (“the Holy One of God”).  He also confessed great fear that Jesus might judge him and send him to the pit … He tried one last convulsive attack, but then had to submit to the authority of God’s servant and come out of the man,” my commentary said.  If it were only that easy today.

 

Also, Jesus healed a leper in this chapter.  My commentary said leprosy is a picture of sin:  “Like sin, leprosy is deeper than the skin, it defiles and isolates, and it renders things fit only for the fire.”  So very true.

 

Father, we need You to examine each of us, to find where Satan or his demons have sunk their claws into our lives and are trying to pull us away from a God-honoring life.  We need You to remove these sources of temptation, to help us discover that our sin is more than skin deep – that it affects not just our whole life, but others around us as well.  Cause us to agree with You on the ugliness of sin and our need for Your healing and forgiveness.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

 

Gary Ford