Follow #4 -- Mark 1:21-45 -- Kingdoms In Collision

February 23, 2020 Nate Holdridge

Introduction

The King Collides

At this point in Mark's gospel, we've learned Jesus is the Son of God who brought in the kingdom of God (Mark 1:1, 15). He invites people to turn and follow him, and four men -- Peter, Andrew, James, and John -- did so as his earliest disciples.

But if Jesus is God the Son, come to earth to establish God's kingdom, what did this mean for the power structures already in place? Wouldn't Jesus' presence collide with and disrupt the ways things were?

Our passage today, shows us Jesus' authoritative collision with that which is anti his kingdom. By observing what Jesus first collides with, we can get a better idea of what his kingdom is about.

And in the passage before us, we will see his power, his authority. Specifically, we will note his authority over all invisible forces, over all natural brokenness, and over all spiritual uncleanness. These are the elements Jesus' kingdom confronts.

Like a meteor striking the earth, Jesus' coming impacted heaven and hell, death and decay, sin and unholiness. Nothing will ever be the same.

As we observe each episode, we will see a different manifestation of Jesus' power. And as we do, I want you to consider what the original disciples would've felt and thought as they watched Jesus do Jesus stuff. Jesus had just called them to himself, and immediately they began learning he was the authority above all others.

1. Invisible Forces (21-28)

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God." 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." 28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

City Of Capernaum

This episode took place in Capernaum, which was a significant city on the North-Western shore of the Sea of Galilee (21). Located a couple of miles west of the Jordan River, it was a fairly prosperous town because of various trade routes connecting it to communities inside and outside of Israel.

Now, Capernaum would become a major hub of Jesus' ministry. He will do much work throughout the Galilean region, but Capernaum became his new hometown (Matthew 4:13, 9:1, Mark 9:33, Luke 4:31). He had grown up and lived as an adult in the city of Nazareth, but by this time they had rejected him because of his claims to have fulfilled Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah (Luke 4:16-30).

Nazareth's rejection likely impacted Jesus' recruitment of Peter, Andrew, James, and John. His hometown, his previous human connections, had divorced themselves from him. He was a human, and it is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18). So, after leaving Nazareth, he then went down to the Sea of Galilee, recruited his first four disciples, and made their hometown his hometown.

Authority Unlike The Scribes

When Jesus came to their synagogue, they invited him to teach the sermon. Visiting rabbi's were often given this privilege, and Jesus was now known enough to have received this honor. The four disciples, men who hailed from Capernaum, might've even vouched for him.

After he spoke, everyone there was astonished at his teaching because it had authority, unlike the scribes (22). Their teaching was often a mere regurgitation of traditions, or quotes from past teachers, while Jesus said, "I say unto you" (22, Matthew 5). They quoted others, but Jesus quoted himself. As God in the flesh, he was the authority.

The Demonic Realm

Amid their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit (23). In the middle of Jesus' sermon, the man cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are -- the Holy One of God" (23-24). A mildly distracting moment.

Now, though Mark told us about Satan's temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, this is the first instance of unclean spirits in the book of Mark. Sometimes Mark calls them demons, and this is the first of many times he'll mention the demonic realm.

There are various theories about the identity of the demonic realm, but the one worth mentioning is the possibility they are angels who rebelled against God. As a judgment, they became disembodied spirits under Satan's leadership. Scripture seems to imply some of them were free to roam, and during the time of Christ did so (2 Peter 2:4, Jude 6).

In 2019, YouGov conducted a survey that showed more than four in ten Americans believe in demons and other supernatural beings. Even in our scientifically inclined society, many people think there are forces of evil present.

Of course, modern readers wonder why so many demons were in Israel at that time. Even though we are reading selected episodes, sometimes it feels as if there was a demon on every corner. Though we cannot know for sure, here are some possibilities.

First, Israel had not been walking with God for some time, and with God's light absent, the people likely opened themselves up to dark or mystical practices, which opened them up to an undesirable world.
Second, since God had been so clear his deliverer, the one to eventually crush Satan, would come from Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David's line, born in Bethlehem, it makes sense Satan would congeal his forces in that region.
Third, the presence and power of John and then Jesus likely stirred up the demonic world to prepare for resistance. Jesus' presence meant war.

This seems to be the best answer. You see, Jesus came to destroy Satan. He would end the cosmic struggle and crush Satan's rebellion.

John said it well:

"The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8, ESV)

The Deliverance

So it comes as no surprise when Jesus delivered the man from his demon. And we should note two things. First, notice how Jesus drew on his own authority to banish the demon. He said, "Be silent, and come out of him! (25). There was no long, drawn-out incantation. No ceremony. Just Jesus. He is authoritative.

Second, we should also note this man was not a believer. Nowhere does the Bible describe a demon-possessed Christian. The Spirit's indwelling presence would not allow it.

Over All Invisible Forces

After watching the demon convulse the man, cry out with a loud voice, and come out of him, everyone was amazed (26-27). They said, "What is this? He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him" (27). Mark tell us this event caused Jesus' fame to spread everywhere throughout the surrounding region of Galilee (28).

Looking back over the story, it's clear the theme is authority. The crowds were impressed with Jesus' authoritative teaching. Then a demon disrupts the teaching. Some think he identified Jesus as Jesus of Nazareth and the Holy One of God to try to gain authority over Jesus. It was widely believed magical power over others came through uttering a person's name. But it didn't work, and just as Jesus had authority when teaching, he had authority over the demonic realm.

And though our modern age often deadens people to the reality of spiritual warfare, and though many Christian ministries have given in to errors and excesses on this subject, it seems clear we are in a spiritual war.

"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, NLT)

It's a war for which we need the authority of Jesus. One only Jesus can win!

Now, I don't want to overstep, but I think it is important to push back on a deadly rationalism that says people's problems can always be reduced to purely psychological, social, physiological, or circumstantial factors. When we recognize there is a spiritual battle, I think we come more in line with Jesus and lean more upon him in prayer, to see the transformation we'd like to see.

But, for this study, suffice it to say Jesus is authoritative over all invisible forces of evil. He is the name we must confess. He is the one who can deliver us.

2. Natural Brokenness (29-34)

29 And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. 32 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

The House

On the same day he taught in the synagogue and delivered the man with the unclean spirit, Jesus went to the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John (29). Our modern equivalent would be going out to lunch or dinner after church services. And I imagine the disciples' minds were racing as they took Jesus to the house. Did that just happen? Did you guys see what I saw? What have we gotten ourselves into?

Simon's Mother-In-Law

There, in the house, was Simon's mother-in-law (30). Though we don't know much about Peter's wife, we do know she eventually became a believer and joined him in ministry (see 1 Corinthians 9:5). Here, her mother was sick, lying there with a fever, and they told Jesus about her (30). Jesus then went to her, took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her (31).

As evidence of her complete healing, we read that she began to serve them (31). This is not meant as a gendered comment, because Mark also presents Jesus serving and, already in his gospel, we've seen the angels serving Jesus after his temptations (1:13).

In other words, in Mark's presentation, whole people serve. Healed by Jesus, men and women alike, are to care for others. And, on that day, Peter's mother-in-law served Jesus and his disciples.

After Sabbath

That evening at sundown, the whole region seems to have descended upon Jesus at Peter's house (32). They were only allowed to travel a certain distance on the Sabbath, so once it ended with the sun's setting, the people came out in droves.

What followed was a significant time of healing and deliverance. Mark presents it this way, using words and phrases such as they brought to him all, the whole city was gathered, he healed many, and cast out many demons (32-34). The idea is that nothing Jesus encountered was too hard for him. He could heal it all. He could deliver them all.

Over All Brokenness

For this section, it would be good to remember how strange sickness and disease, including everything Jesus confronted that day, is to our Lord. He did not create it. But when death entered into our species, so did the illnesses which lead to death. None of this was of his doing. John even tells us Jesus wept while watching Lazarus' family and friends grieve Lazarus' death (John 11:35). It was all so abhorrent to him.

He hated all this brokenness. It was unnatural to him.

But Jesus is presented as having power over all this unnatural brokenness. He fixed it all. Again, everything brought to him was fixed. He healed it all.

And a question modern readers bring up is, "Does Jesus heal today? And if he does, why does it seem so rare?" For these questions, it is good for us to remember the beginning of Mark's gospel. What was Jesus' message?

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:15, ESV)

So Jesus came declaring the kingdom of God is at hand. First, we saw him collide with the demonic forces in the synagogue. Now we see him healing the sick at the house.

Both of these events are meant to show us what his kingdom is like. He has come to confront the cosmic powers of darkness led by Satan, and to set humanity's brokenness aright.

In other words, when we see the healing ministry of Jesus throughout the gospel of Mark, our first move should be to see those healings as a foreshadowing of the ultimate healing and resurrection of God's people. When Jesus' kingdom is eternally present, there will be no sickness. And when Jesus healed sickness while on earth for a few people, he broadcast the ultimate healing all his people would receive.

Now, God can and does heal people today. I don't think the Bible teaches healing is for everyone who wants it, or for those who have enough faith. But I do believe every believer will be healed of all the vestiges of death -- things like disease and disability -- when they receive their new resurrected bodies from the Lord. But, again, I know Lord can heal right now and have witnessed that he sometimes does.

But my point for today is that Jesus saw all these diseases and sicknesses as unnatural brokenness. He came to fix all that. He came to restore. And, for those who believe in his name, his kingdom will provide that total healing.

But let's consider our final scene.

3. Spiritual Uncleanness (35-45)

35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you." 38 And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Solitude And Prayer

The following morning, very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus went out alone to spend time in prayer (35). Though he was tired and worn out from the previous day, he knew he needed to get alone with his Father in heaven.

Mark doesn't often refer to Jesus' prayer life, but when he does, Jesus is alone, and his ministry is in the balance. In the garden of Gethsemane, Mark presents Jesus praying to bolster his determination to get the kingdom through the means of his death on the cross (Mark 14:36). After feeding the 5,000, a time John tells us they wanted to take him by force and make him king, Jesus went up to the mountain to pray alone (Mark 6:45-52). And, here, when Jesus had earned the title of "Miracle Worker" or "Healer," his ministry was again in the balance.

But he would not become the king of the kingdom by avoiding the cross, through miraculous feedings, or working miracles. And we do not get the kingdom that way either. It isn't miracles we need, but Jesus' message.

This is why Jesus responded the way he did when Simon and those who were with him searched for him and eventually found him (36-37). They said, "Everyone is looking for you" (37). They thought Jesus' ministry was off to a fabulous start. You've got a good thing going, Jesus! Healing! Miracles! Ride the wave and come back to town!

But Jesus responded, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out" (38). This was his way of saying he wasn't a miracle worker or deliverer first, but a preacher. He wanted to go tell the other little towns which littered that region. The only way he could really save people was with his words, his message, the truth.

So, with that, he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons (39). Matthew tells us it was during this circuit of preaching that Jesus gathered the masses and taught them the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

Reminded Of Your Purpose

By the way, Jesus' experience can be emblematic of ours. He, as the perfect Son of God, had to go out to the wilderness to spend time with his Father. There, it appears he was reminded of his ultimate purpose and mission and design. In his Father's presence, Jesus was refreshed in his identity.

We, too, need constant reminders about our purpose and mission and identity. Who are we? What are we for? What makes me, me? And as we ask these questions, we have so much to distract us. And I find times alone with God, talking with him, can help us retain clear minds about our purpose in life. Who we are. What is needed. It becomes clear when with God.

40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean." 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them." 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

Leprosy

After preaching the Sermon on the Mount, a leper came to him (40). By Jesus' time, they called many different skin conditions leprosy, many of which weren't actual leprosy (or Hansen's disease).

And when this particular leper came to Jesus, he said, "If you will, you can make me clean" (40). Why was this the leper's request? Why did he ask for cleansing, and not healing?

Well, lepers were outcast from the community in Israel and labeled unclean. Their ceremonial uncleanness separated them from the temple and others. They would've felt their uncleanness banished them from contact with God and people They even had to announce their uncleanness everywhere they went -- Unclean! Unclean!

So, with that, it's easy to see why this leper wanted to be clean. He wanted to be restored to God and others! He was tired of being cut off from everyone else.

Touched

It is stirring to see Jesus, who could've spoken a healing, stretch out his hand and touch the man (41). They weren't supposed to touch lepers, but Jesus did while saying, "I will; be clean" (41).

And, to the reader's surprise, the leper's uncleanness did not transfer to Jesus, but the leper was made clean (43). This is precisely what the leper wanted. He could now return to the community because Jesus, our great high priest, had pronounced him clean.

Jesus, though, wanted the priests in Jerusalem to have proof, or a clue, that he was the Messiah, so he told the man to show himself to the priest and offer for his cleansing what Moses commanded (44). Leviticus detailed the offering a cleansed leper was to give (Leviticus 13-14). It was quite a process, and I'm sure the priests in Jerusalem needed a refresher on it when this guy showed up.

Say Nothing

Jesus told this man to say nothing to anyone other than the priests (44). And all through the passage today, Jesus has commanded silence. First, with the demon in the synagogue (25). Second, with the demons at the house (34). And, finally, here with the leper.

This is a theme in Mark. In our passage, Jesus silenced the demons because they were the wrong messengers to announce his coming. On top of all that, Jesus didn't want to be known first as a miracle worker, but as a preacher with a message. And Jesus wanted the healed leper to keep quiet so he could still travel freely.

Over All Spiritual Uncleanness

But, alas, the man was not quiet about his cleansing, and instead went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news (45). The result was what Jesus feared: Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter (45).

What I want you to see is how the leper and Jesus traded places. The story began with Jesus on the inside. The leper was on the outside. Now, though, Jesus is on the outside, in desolate places, while the leper is clean and back in the community.

This is Jesus. He takes all our uncleanness into himself, so we might be clean. He was crushed so you could have life.

"He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed...the Lord laid on him the sins of us all." (Isaiah 53:5–6, NLT)

Shame. Guilt. Dishonor. Embarrassment. Failure. All that makes you feel unclean -- Jesus will trade places with you. Believe in him. Trust him.

But You Must Hear His Message (38)

38 And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out."

To wrap up this entire section, though, I want to repoint you to his message. You see, though he is authoritative over all invisible forces, all natural brokenness, and all spiritual uncleanness, he fought hard to make preaching his priority. Why?

Because, he knows you cannot have the benefits of his authority, the rights of his kingdom, unless you call upon his name, unless you believe his message. Because, as Romans 10:9 says, "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9, NLT).

Nate Holdridge