INTRODUCTION

Counterfeit claims and pretensions to miraculous divine powers must not be allowed to weaken our faith in the Bibli-cal record of genuine miracles. The Bible clearly tells us that there are unseen but real powers of good and evil beyond the bounds of everyday human knowledge and experience.

As the divine miracles worked in the ministry of Moses surpassed the imitative powers of the magicians of Egypt, so the miracles in the ministry of Jesus far surpassed the powers of any and all other men before and since so far as visible demonstration is concerned. It is true that Jesus assures us that our ministry of His Word since His return to heaven is gr.eater than the works He did before that written Word was completed [John 14:12], but very few people understand or believe this. On this point see Luke 17:20.

Our lesson gives examples of Jesus' demonstrations of power over demons or unclean spirits. We can faithfully accept the inspired record of God's Word without believing the claims of every Tom, Dick and Harry that comes along pretending to exercise divine powers. Jesus is the Truth [John 14:6], and all His true servants believe and stand for the truths of His Word [I John 4:1-3; John 8:45-47; 10:26].

Lesson outline follows:

1. Authority, Mark 1:21-22. 
a. Sabbath and synagogue, 21. 
b. Scripture versus scribes, 22. 

2. Action, Mark 1:23-26. 
a. Savior recognized, 23-24. 
b. Spirit rebuked, 25-26. 

3. Amazement, Mark 1:27-28. 
a. Speculating faith, 27. 
b. Spreading fame, 28. 

4. Acceptance Mark 1:29-31. 
a. Sickness reported, 29-30. 
b. Service restored, 31. 

5. Aggregation, Mark 1:32-34. 
a. Suffering suppliants, 32-33. 
b. Sufferings subjugated, 34. 

NOTES ON THE TEXT:

AUTHORITY, Mark 1:21-22.

Jesus in His human capacity was qualified to speak with authority because He had learned to obey the higher authority of His Father in heaven [Hebrews 5:8]. Too many people recognize no higher authority than their own depraved desires, and those who will not recognize the authority of God naturally fall prey to the dominion of men and devils.

Sabbath and Synagogue, 21.

Because Jesus disregarded some of the human traditions and rabbinical regulations of the sabbath, it may be imagined that He actually broke God's law of the sabbath as His enem- ies accused Him of doing; but this accusation is false. Jesus observed the sabbath perfectly so far as God's Word is concerned. Moreover, He honored the synagogue with His presence, though the synagogue, like the modern Sunday school, was an institution rather of human convenience that of explicitly divine appointment. We are plainly told that is was the custom of Jesus to go into the synagogue on the sabbath day [Luke 4:16]. And He not only attended; He taught.

Scripture versus Scribes, 22.

Like some modern "Christian" leaders and teachers, the Jewish scribes gave more attention to human customs and commentaries than to the inspired Scriptures, and so made "the word of God of none effect through" their traditions [Mark 7:13]. In contrast, Jesus taught the truths of Scripture, and so with authority. No wonder people were astonished!

ACTION, Mark 1:23-26.

Furthermore, as God, Jesus was the Author of the Word He preached, and knew how to take action with divine power when His sermon was interrupted.

Savior Recognized, 23-24.

Using a man's physical powers of speech, an "unclean spirit" declared his recognition of "the Holy One of God." To this day it seems there are still unclean spirits causing men to pay lip service to Christ while dishonoring Him with shameful behavior.

Spirit Rebuked, 25-26.

But Jesus was not and is not pleased by the testimony of demons or of wicked men. So He rebuked the unclean spirit, who spitefully gave his victim one last convulsion as he left.

AMAZEMENT, Mark 1:27-28.

Now, the expelling of a demon is not really as great a work of God as the transformation of human character that takes place in the new birth; but the driving out of the demon is more spectacular, and therefore more likely to produce amazement.

Speculating Faith, 27.

Questions asked indicate the general bewilderment. Miracles do not always produce saving faith; in fact, they seldom do. More often, as here, there is mere speculating faith; people know that something wonderful has happened, but what? Why? How? They know not.

Spreading Fame, 28.

Yet the report of what had taken place spread rapidly, probably with distortions and embellishments by imaginative talebearers. It all helped to attract greater crowds to see and hear Jesus as He traveled around.

ACCEPTANCE, Mark 1:29-31.

While multitudes were thus being stirred to more or less curiosity, Jesus found acceptance in a small company of disciples. Leaving the synagogue, they found lodging in the house of Simon and Andrew.

Sickness Reported, 29-30.

Entertaining company was hardly a suitable task for a sick woman, or for a woman with a sick mother in the house. (Incidentally, this was some centuries before the Roman Catholic church with its papal pretensions was ever heard of.) So they told Jesus about the sick mother of Peter's wife.

Service Restored, 31.

It is always good to tell Jesus about our problems; He is well able either to solve the problem for us or to show us how to handle it. In this case He showed Himself the great Physician as well as the great Teacher: He healed the sick woman and immediately instead of needing to be ministered to she was ministering to the needs of others.

AGGREGATION, Mark 1:32-34.

Sunset marked the end of the sabbath day; people could come to be helped and healed without fear of criticism by religious traditionalists. And so the crowds gathered.

Suffering Suppliants, 32-33.

Diseased persons, whether their troubles are physical or mental, are not necessarily demonized. Mark here speaks of the diseased and of those possessed with devils (demons) as two different classes of people. Demon possession mayor may not involve physical or mental disease. On this occasion, we are told, "all" the sick as well as the possessed were brought to Jesus until "all the city" (no doubt hyperbole) "was gathered together at the door."

Suffering Subjugated, 34.

Healing diseases and casting our devils were minor tasks for Jesus. Note again that He refused to accept the testimony of demons. They know Who He is, but they are no suitable witnesses. Both diseases and demons are subjugated under the authority of Jesus.

CONCLUSION [Luke 11:20]

"No doubt" -- because Jesus' preaching agreed with His practice and His practice agreed with His preaching, He consistently manifested the kingdom of God. Sad to say, many people have "cast out devils" but have not followed Jesus in submission to the Word and will of God. See Matthew 6:21-23; 24:24; Mark 9:38-42; Luke 9:49-50. We are not allowed to forbid their activities, but we stand in doubt of their relationship to the kingdom of God. Like Balaam of old [Jude 11], they will have to render their own account; we leave them to the disposition of divine judgment.

[From Ashland Avenue Baptist paper, January 28, 1977, pp. 2-3. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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