I am currently studying the Gospels in a New Testament class at BYU. Something that struck me immediately was the account in Mark 1 of when Jesus casts out a devil in a Jewish synagogue in Capernaum. The fact that an "unclean spirit" attempts to stir up trouble, as Jesus is teaching and those listening are astonished, is surprising. It seems to me that a account of a devil actually speaking out is rare in the Bible - but it is evidence that Satan does exist, something that many people seem to deny. There really are forces of good and evil - and just as this account reveals a devil, it highlights the fact that Jesus is the Son of God, and he does prevail.

As we discussed this account in my class, someone pointed out the irony in the situation: those Jesus comes to destroy (devils and unclean spirits) know him, but those he comes to save (the Jews) do not. The Jews expected the "Messiah", someone of special lineage to re-establish the Jewish kingom and lead them triumphantly out of oppressive Roman rule. What happened in the synagogue in Capernaum caused people to start paying attention to him. Jesus, however, is not what they expect - throughout his ministry, he ministers to the "least, the last, and the lost," as mentioned in class. He is also rejected and crucified - this is not the Messiah they expected. It is a beautiful thing that Jesus's Gospel is for those who need to be healed, physically and spiritually. However, the Jews don't seem to "get it"; Jesus is not what they expected, and they don't know him, the Savior and Son of God.

Tags: Jesus Capernaum Messiah Devil Son Of God Ministry

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