CLEAN – podcast 17, The Crazy Man in the Synagogue

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.Scriptural study: Mark 1:21-28Jesus and his first followers enter Capernaum, Jesus’ adopted hometown (v.21).Notice the word “immediately," showing us the broad impact of Christ, and in a staccato manner relating his baptism, temptation, preaching ministry, calling of the first disciples, exorcism, healings, and cleansing of a leper.This is going to be the first miracle, and exorcism, of Mark’s gospel.All are amazed at his teaching (v.22; also v.27) – like Matt 7:28-29. More compactNotice what day it is: the Sabbath. (More on this in Mark 2:27-28.)Responding to the proclamation and supernatural knowledge of the demon (v.24), Jesus tells the demon to be quiet—this is unwanted publicity (v.25). His disciples aren’t ready to handle Jesus’ identity until Mark 8 (at the earliest).This is an unclean spirit—demonic possession is a form of impurity.On the Sabbath—reinforcing the point that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.Convulsion: just leprosy? See Matt 4:24.Loud! And Jesus had told him to "be silent." (Though it's probably the demon's trumpeting of Jesus' divine identity that Jesus wants to shut down.)Authority over the invisible, spirit world? This can only be divine authority.His fame spreads (v.28), even without assistance from the man who was exorcized.This miracles sets the stage for Mark's gospel: Jesus as divine Son of God, with authority over the spiritual world.Freeing the crazy man in the synagogue from his unwanted "house guest" mirrors the cleansing and transformation God offers us!ApplicationGod's compassion includes healing (though not for everyone—the Word-faith and Signs & Wonders people are wrong).God wants to remove any uncleanness—demonic or otherwise—from our life!God can powerfully transform lives—free us from the power of the Evil One—and quickly!What is it that the Lord wants to expel from my life? Materialism? Sexual sin? Laziness? Inward focus? Lack of commitment to the body of Christ? Lack of evangelism? Hatred? Bitterness? Anything else?And let’s not miss something highly obvious: Jesus is awesome. His deeds are awesome. Let’s keep our focus on him, and we will be purified as we do so (1 John 3:2-3)!