FY 20
Back to A Devotional Commentary on the Gospels
February 20
Mark 1:21-28. Christ casts out a devil in the synagogue.
Though the Lord was continually working miracles, yet the miracle here related seems to have caused unusual amazement. And it might well do so, for in it Christ's power over the devil was displayed. One of the most mysterious subjects in the Bible is the manner in which devils possessed men in former times. It is so mysterious, that some have chosen not to believe it; but if we were to believe nothing that we could not clearly understand, how little we would believe! We would not believe in our own existence, for we cannot tell how we live, or what life is; yet we know that we do live.
It is very reasonable to suppose, that when Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, that wicked spirit would make great efforts to resist him. Some have thought that the people possessed with devils were in a state of insanity; but we find that the insane or lunatic are mentioned by Matthew, separately from those possessed with devils; therefore insanity is a different calamity from being possessed of devils. (Matthew 4:24.)
It is true that Satan even now enters into men's hearts, to fill them with wickedness; but it was not in this way that he had entered into the man in the synagogue; for had this man been filled with Satan, as Judas afterwards was, Jesus would have spoken to him as to a wicked man; but He did not rebuke the man, He only rebuked the devil.
The evil spirit had permitted the man to go to the synagogue. Had he known whom he would meet there, surely he would not have allowed him to go; for he seemed full of fear when he saw Christ. He cried out, "Let us alone; what have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Are you come to destroy us?" We know that devils believe and tremble. They cannot feel hope, but they can feel fear. They have no hope of growing happy, but they have a fear of becoming more miserable. Nor do they fear without cause; for their continual wickedness must render them more and more miserable throughout the ages of eternity, and must bring down upon them larger measures of God's wrath.
Even the praises of devils are abominable to Christ. When the evil spirit said, "I know you who you are, the Holy One of God," Jesus replied, "Hold your peace." He cannot bear the praises of those who hate him.
Let none think that while engaged in the service of Satan, the Lord accepts their praises. Though they may join in the responses at church, and say, "You are the king of glory, O Christ;" or repeat daily upon their knees, "Hallowed be your name," yet while they are living in sin, their services are displeasing to God. He is ready to silence their tongues with "Hold your peace."
To the wicked, God says, "What have you to do to declare my statutes, or that you should take my covenant in your mouth, seeing you hate instruction and cast my words behind you?" (Ps. 50:16, 17.) Such is the dreadful condition of the children of the devil—of the unconverted, even now. What will it be hereafter? Judge what it will be from the malice the devils displayed towards this poor man. When commanded to come out of him, the devil first tore him, and (as Luke informs us) "threw him in the midst." Though obliged to obey the Lord of all, with what reluctance he left his victim! He made him feel his malice before he left him.
It is to the malice of such devils that the wicked are to be forever given up! These are to be their companions through eternity; no Saviour's voice will penetrate the gates of hell to bid the raging fiends cease from tormenting. Let us consider the horrors of the future, and remember that these spirits now fill the air, and that Satan is called, "the prince of the power of the air." (Eph. 2:2.) This prince seeks now to deceive the soul, in order that it may be cast into hell forever. There will be no escape for us, if not washed in the blood of Christ, and sanctified by his Spirit. What do we know of pardon and holiness? Have we obtained these precious gifts from Christ? He died that we might obtain them. Are there any of us, of whom it may be said, that "they are taken captive by the devil at his will?"
Jesus can command the devil to let us go, and he will do so, if we implore his help. But the devil will not let go his captives, unless he is compelled; he diligently watches over them, lest they would believe and be saved, accompanies them to church and follows them home. Yes, he follows them close, for he has a numerous train of servants at his command. But there is a place where he cannot come; the shadow of the Almighty's wings. O enter into the secret place of the Most High, and there you shall be safe; for He shall cover you with his feathers, and under his wings shall you trust; the young lion and the dragon shall you trample under foot. (Psalm 91)