And they went into Capernaum; and
straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And
they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had
authority, and not as the scribes. And there was in their synagogue a man with
an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do
with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who
thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the
unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves,
saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority
commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And they were all
amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is
this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the
unclean spirits, and they do obey him. (St. Mark 1:21-28)
Have you wondered why there is such a fuss over any public symbol that
represents faith and Godliness in our modern society? The reason has not
changed from the days that Christ entered the synagogue in Capernaum – the
demons of men’s hearts will not abide the message of Christ! These popular
demons have succeeded in having the Holy Bible, Ten Commandments, and even the
personal right of prayer removed from our schools and every other public forum.
Now they even seek to have crosses removed from the graves of heroic military
veterans who died to defend all of our liberties including that of religious
freedom of expression.
“And they went into
Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue,
and taught.” Please observe that these men did not even
return home for additional clothing or travel articles. They followed
immediately even unto Capernaum. It is doubtful if these men had any notion the
morning they arose from bed in Galilee that evening would find them following
Christ – a man they had never previously met – and travelling to another city.
You only need to know Christ from the time that He calls you. Then you will
know Him fully.
“And they were
astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not
as the scribes.” I hope you will notice the difference in
the teaching of Christ and that of the worldly teachers of the day (scribes):
He taught as One having authority unlike those of the Temple and synagogues.
How could the Scribes have taught differently and with authority? It is simple:
by teaching the clear and true word of prophecy as revealed in Holy Scripture.
How may a preacher preach with authority today? By preaching the whole doctrine
of God and the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ without omission or
adulteration! When one hears a biblical sermon, the authority therein is
obvious. The authority belongs not to the preacher, but to God whose Word it
is! Even a child can bear that authority if that authority is the Word of God.
“And there was in their
synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone;
what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy
us?” This unclean spirit was able, like unclean spirits of our own
time, to enter into the place of worship by coming in with the one whom he
possessed. Our churches are full of such today. They are the fowl (demons) who
have come to dwell in the branches of the Mustard Tree of Matthew 13:31-32 – “Another
parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom
of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in
his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is
the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air
come and lodge in the branches thereof.” You will
recall in this same chapter how our Lord described these fowl: “And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and
the fowls came and devoured them up” …….. “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and
understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one (the before mentioned fowl), and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart.” (Matt 13:4.19)
It is noteworthy that the devils
and demons know scripture and oftentimes better than those who profess with
their lips the Lord Jesus Christ. “Thou believest that there is one God;
thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19)
Devils and demons will always make their presence known by crying out – always
in rebellious spirit. They knew Jesus of Nazareth better than the scribes and
Pharisees. We are not playing with fools when we deal with demons. The
presumptuous and ‘learned’ Pharisees knew little compared even to demons. “I
know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.” The devil and his
demons have read the end of the Book. They know that Christ is to come, and
they know that there is a future moment when they shall be cast into the Lake
of Fire and eternal torment along with their followers. Did the educated scribes
and Pharisees recognize Jesus as the Holy One of God as this unclean spirit
did? Do our distinguished and popular ministers of today truly know Jesus as
the Holy One of God. If they do, their lives do not reflect that knowledge.
They are little better than this unclean spirit who, at least recognized Christ
fully.
“And Jesus rebuked him,
saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.”
Once rebuked by Christ, the conversation is over. No whining or begging at the
rebuke of Christ. Christ will hear no more from this vulgar and deceiving
spirit. “Come out of him!” And
they do obey for they have no choice. This is why every knee, even the
rebellious knee, will bow to Christ. They have no choice. “And when
the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of
him.”
“And they were all amazed,
insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this?
what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean
spirits, and they do obey him.” Truly, if we hear and see the mighty
works of God, we, too, shall be amazed at the wonder. There was no ‘new
doctrine’ here, for Christ had been known and preached by the prophets. The
deficiency was in their knowledge of Scripture and not owing to a new doctrine.
So men have always been amazed at the wonder of God’s miracles and works of
beauty, but how soon do they forget, or misapply, the meaning thereof – or too
often question the power behind those miracles! Though the great Archangel
Michael would not issue a railing accusation against Satan, but deferred to the
Lord, Christ being the supreme authority on both levels has the rightful power
to do so, and the devils will hear Him and obey.
Have you heard the call of Christ in your own life? Do you
believe He is able to redeem you from every sin and weakness? It is very
important to recognize His Call and to respond to it without delay. Each of us
needs to make our election and calling in Christ sure. “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matt 22:14)
