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Powerful Name of Jesus!

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“Powerful Name of Jesus!”

Mark 1:21-28 (1:27) – January 28, 2024

            . Illness is a sad reality in this world, and all of us are witness. We all know people who either are sick right now, or have been sick in the past. Some are friends, others acquaintances, still others family members Many, many illnesses come from micro-organisms like viruses or bacteria. Today, the medical world can diagnose many of these diseases by looking at a person’s blood under a microscope or running a specific test.

            We know sickness is a part of this broken, fallen world we live in. That is a fact. Yes, this present world is full of God’s beauty and majesty, but it is also full of evil and danger, trauma, and illness. Both physical illness as well as mental illness.

            As we think about our Scripture reading this morning, what kinds of thoughts are in your mind? The Gospel of Mark shows us the Rabbi Jesus very early in His ministry. He is preaching and teaching in the area around the sea of Galilee. Listen again: “The people who heard Jesus were amazed at the way he taught, for he wasn’t like the teachers of the Law.” So, we can see “We open with Jesus and his newly formed group of disciples coming to Capernaum and the people in the synagogue being impressed with Jesus’s authority.” [1]

            Right off the bat, the Rabbi Jesus shows who and what He is. We can see, through Mark’s account of Jesus’ words and actions, that Jesus exerts power and authority. Mark wanted to make crystal clear what Jesus’s mission here on earth truly was – not only to bring Good News but also to bring freedom to the captives. We can also see that Jesus has marvelous understanding of what God means to the people He is preaching to, as well as what God intends for those same people to be – and become. Just so with this reading today

What does Jesus encounter in this synagogue? Let us listen again: “Just then a man with an evil spirit came into the synagogue and screamed, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Are you here to destroy us? I know who you are—you are God’s holy messenger!”

I’m going to stop right here and say that I believe this event did happen. Yes, we here in the 21st century have a more nuanced view of the psyche, and what mental health and mental illness look like. Yes, chemical imbalances affect brain health and chemistry, too. This could be severe mental illness, or a complicated medical diagnosis that affects mood and stability. At the same time, I believe there are also powerful unseen forces in the wider world today, and these forces can affect individuals and their mental and emotional stability.

So, we have the Rabbi Jesus, here in the Capernaum synagogue. Next thing we know, a man with a demon inside comes up and confronts Jesus – face to face! Yes, the man in this instance could have severe mental or behavioral problems. And, yes, Jesus could well be involved in a situation with something in the spiritual realm. Any way you look at it, our Lord Jesus is exerting mighty power and authority. 

This confrontation brings things to a head, and with just a word, Jesus shuts down the evil spirit. He commands, “Be quiet!” This can also be translated “Be muzzled!” Have you ever seen an animal wearing a muzzle? This is often done with dangerous or wild animals, and the muzzle takes away their power to bite and roar. [2]

            Through this strong command, “Jesus makes the unclean spirit feeble, weak, unable to continue to use its words to exert its power. By doing so, Jesus proves that the unclean spirit does not have real authority—it is just masquerading like all other evil spirits and forces in the world.”[3] We see here, just as we are shown over and over through the Gospels, our Lord Jesus displays His mighty, Divine power and authority, and people respond! With amazement, awe and even fear.

            I don’t know if you have ever been in the presence of someone who is larger than life? Someone who you can tell has real power, real authority, and knows for sure how to use them. From all the Gospel accounts, that was Jesus. He not only was an effective teacher, but also a compelling preacher. Plus, Jesus had a remarkable gift for showing His power and authority in a winsome, persuasive and – most importantly, an authentic manner.

            The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus is the living Word of God who became a human being. We can see how effective His spoken words are with this evil spirit. “It is notable following the man’s outburst, and immediately after the unclean spirit has left him, that again the congregation talk about Jesus’ teaching. This is the first recorded miracle by Mark. The drama is not primarily presented as a healing miracle, rather a deliverance of an individual from the grip of chaotic forces that convulse and threaten their life.” [4]

            Life here in the Chicago area today is certainly different than life in the first century. The modern day is vastly different from the ancient world, or medieval times. But, our Lord Jesus is still the same. He is still mighty and powerful, and has remarkable authority over all things.

Yes, Jesus has authority over things today, too. In our own lives, we might have emotional barriers or spiritual problems. With such sadness, upset and distraction going on, who wouldn’t have some difficulties and problems in their lives right now? Whether you have deep feelings, some heartache or pain, grief or despair that you are dealing with today, Jesus can work wonders in your life and spirit, too.

            I tell you today that our Lord Jesus is not afraid to face down the evil things, the traumatic events that come into each of our lives on a regular basis. Just as our Lord Jesus showed in the Gospels again and again, the authority of God and God’s Word is for God’s people’s wholeness and healing. All God’s people. That is a promise, and that is a blessed reality. Alleluia, amen!

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!

[1] https://cepreaching.org/commentary/2024-01-22/mark-121-28-4/

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/worship/weekly-worship/monthly/2024-january/28-january-2024-fourth-sunday-after-epiphany-year-b#topic5

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Mighty Name of Jesus!

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“Mighty Name of Jesus!”

Mark 1:21-28 (1:24) – January 31, 2021

            When many people think of superheroes, they cannot help but think of mighty people of valor or power. For many children (and, for some grown-up people, too!) thoughts of the most powerful superhero or mighty person in the region can be absolutely intimidating.

            Can you imagine our Gospel writer Mark wanting to kick off his narrative of Jesus with a bang? Why not start off with a really big event, displaying mighty power? Soon after the baptism in the opening scene, what does Mark present in the first chapter? An exorcism! That’s right, the unconventional Rabbi Jesus has a power encounter with a demonized man.

            The Rabbi Jesus started his itinerant travels throughout the northern region of Palestine, soon after He was baptized. Mark tells us how Jesus meets a certain man in Capernaum, while He was teaching and preaching in the town.

            But, before we zoom in and look at this encounter, can we talk about the various people the Rabbi Jesus met, each and every day? People from all walks of life, from all different levels and places and spaces in society. These folks could be broken, hurting, angry, ill, tired, frustrated, or despairing. Even perhaps cynical, miserable, in pain, or grief-stricken. Does a word or two of that description strike a chord within you? Can you see yourself in the crowd listening to Jesus? I hope you do. I know I can.

Jesus opened Himself up to all of that, all of those feelings, all that heartache and pain when He started His ministry. Do you have some deep feelings, some heartache or pain or grief or despair that you are dealing with today? See whether you can find something in common with the people listening to Jesus in Capernaum.

The Rabbi Jesus and His disciples came to the town and set up shop. Not only teaching and preaching, but I suspect talking and debating with the townspeople and leaders in Capernaum’s society and synagogue. Speaking and teaching with Godly authority, too!

Imagine everyone’s surprise when Jesus taught in the synagogue and a man stormed into the building. He screamed, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Are you here to destroy us? I know who you are—you are God’s holy messenger!” That must have made everyone’s jaw drop. Mark identifies the man as someone with an evil spirit. I know what Mark is talking about, because I have had several similar experiences, too.

In today’s 21st century setting, especially in the urban United States, many people deny the possibility of evil spirits. This could be severe mental illness, or a complicated medical diagnosis that affects mood and stability. And, I absolutely agree. However, the Bible also is an accurate source for spiritual, emotional and psychological information. Many people in many places in the world today take this power encounter of Jesus and the demoniac very seriously.

Yes, this instance could be involving someone with a mental illness. Yes, the man in this instance could have severe behavioral problems. And, yes, Jesus could well be involved in a situation with something in the spiritual realm. Any way you look at it, our Lord Jesus is exerting mighty power and authority.  

The man (or the evil spirit within the man) definitively stated, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Are you here to destroy us? I know who you are—you are God’s holy messenger!” Jesus had just started His ministry, and this declaration certainly describes Jesus well and accurately.

Jesus had (and has) mighty power and authority. He did (and still does) miracles. I do not know how our Lord can tell who to do a miracle for, and who not, but there is no denying that miracles happen. However, this power encounter definitely got Jesus and His ministry started with a bang! With a great deal of fanfare and great press, too.

Just imagine the talk that spread like wildfire: “Have you heard about that itinerant Rabbi in Capernaum? He healed a demoniac! It was amazing! In an instant, this Rabbi Jesus cast the evil spirit out of the man, in the synagogue, and everything! That Rabbi – a real man of God!”

Commentator Karoline Lewis says, “Who is Jesus? A boundary breaker, which an exorcism confirms exponentially. Jesus reveals a boundary breaking God. We see this all over Mark. Each and every boundary we try to put in place, we think is in place, even that which we perceive as impenetrable, God bursts through. Political, social, religious, ethnic, racial, sexual, gendered, cosmic,” [1] it does not matter. Jesus breaks through whatever boundary we set up.

Yes, Jesus can break through boundaries, and emotional barriers, and spiritual problems, too. In our own lives, we might have barriers or boundaries set up. With such sadness, upset and distraction going on, who wouldn’t have some difficulties and problems in their lives right now? Whether you have deep feelings, some heartache or pain or grief or despair that you are dealing with today, Jesus can work wonders in your life and spirit, too. Jesus is mighty and powerful. He can overcome, and can come into our lives and hearts in ways that transcend human understanding. In ways that not only amaze us, but comfort and encourage us, as well.

Jesus loves each of us so much, so much that He will banish negative emotions, fearful feelings, and yes, evil spirits, too. Praise the Lord we have such a mighty and powerful God on our side. No matter what, for the rest of our lives. Alleluia, amen.  

[1] https://www.workingpreacher.org/dear-working-preacher/exorcisms-for-our-day

“Exorcisms for Our Day,” Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2015

@chaplaineliza

(Suggestion: visit me at my other blogs: matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers. #PursuePEACE – and  A Year of Being Kind . Thanks!