Smart Demons - Mark 1:23-27

I don't know if you have paid attention to all of Jesus' demon encounters, but they are pretty revealing. For example, in Mark's gospel, only one human acknowledged that Jesus was the son of God and that man was a Roman centurion at the foot of the cross. The other times that we hear this remarkable statement come from demon-possessed lips.

Even more interesting is Jesus' reaction to the surreal declaration. He always tells them to hush up. This makes sense because demons saying anything, whether good or bad, is not a good thing.

Look at this passage in Mark 1:23-27

Mark 1:23 Just then, a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" 25 "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits, and they obey him."

The demons were shocked, the people were shocked, and the exit of the demon caused the possessed man to be shaken to his sandals. And the crowd was amazed like usual.

If anyone stops to consider Jesus these days, they too might be startled about what they read. The Holy One of God, the Messiah, came to shock. He came to change the world and preach the good news. He came to bring people back to normal in light of Creation. When sin hit the fan back in Genesis 3, it messed stuff up. Jesus walked among men to preach repentance and physically heal all the sick. His presence was shocking then as it is now. However, he left a legacy that is to die for. Acknowledge Him and his wondrous ways now and be healed both physically and spiritually.

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