Jesus In Capernaum
Mark 1: 21-34
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The New
Testament Witness of the Apostle
Peter |
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Our passage here is indeed troubling to the modern mind. Contemporary people would rather relegate the fallen angels to Halloween and a mystical, harmless occultic nonsense. "Harmless" is the key word, otherwise, we might actually be concerned about letting Halloween be the one truly major holiday still celebrated in our public schools. After all, we have succeeded in exorcising any hint of the Christianity once associated with the pagan solstice celebrations around the time of Christmas and Easter!
But, my dear friends, the passage reads far too true. I once spent an afternoon with a denominational leader from Haiti who explained to me many the reality behind passages like this. He told me how a crippled shell of a man was brought to him in a wheelbarrow for an exorcism, which he then proceeded to accomplish. I have even been asked to do an exorcism once nearly ten years ago. Since the person was in the hospital already, I asked specifically that several of the glands in the body be tested, especially the Thyroid. I was called a second time to come in and I asked what the results of the Thyroid test were. Doctor didn't want to do that! I wouldn't go in until that was tested. The third call confirmed what I suspected - The Thyroid was not stable and once the proper medication was given, the man regained a semblance of normalcy.
You see, in our time, before you take a risk making an absolute fool or yourself, you want to make certain all of the alternatives are considered. And in the passage before us, there is indeed a hint of something wicked I once was exposed to. We had a Sodomite problem in the community and a school guidance counselor and I were giving advice and encouragement to one very confused young man. I was being ever so careful of the political pitfalls that I initially missed a key piece of evidence.
Later, I saw it for what it really was. The young man really did not like being around me, in fact he confided in the competition that he was absolutely horrified of being near me. So much so that his schedule was rearranged so that he did not have to be anywhere near me. His "girlfriend" felt the same way and she was a member of a well known cult who was hell bent on saving this young man from what ailed him! Yes, I do believe that either one or both were somehow possessed quite literally in the sense of our passage here. There was another occasion where a person supposedly suffered from schizophrenia - but the one personality was absolutely bonkers when I was around. In neither case was I asked to do an exorcism, but in both cases, had they consented to some basic blood and hormone analysis - I would have made an concerted effort to perform an exorcism.
On another occasion I had a quite the opposite reaction. My own blood curdled and my hair stiffened when I saw and heard a neo-pagan lead what was supposed to be a Christian funeral. Significant portions of the service were lifted right out of the Satanic texts and like the wicked witch of Endor - a person in the congregation reported a conversation from the deceased! If there had been a motel handy near that Church of Satan, I would have checked in and taken a shower right after the service.
Isn't it interesting in our text that a man in the Jewish Synagogue was also possessed? I think that should tell us something about the depths to which the Old Covenant community had descended. I would also worry about where some of our own congregations in this once fair land are also headed? And believe me they have traded in their handcarts for golf carts or something even faster. The path to Hell has also been widened and even improved!
Into this unhealthy synagogue, comes the Lord of Life, our very own Jesus Christ. While the people in attendance do not realize who He really is, the demons certainly do. My Bible Background Commentary tells us that the scene described here is entirely accurate. The phrase we read in verse twenty-four "I know who you are" is right out of the magical texts of the time. And knowing was supposedly to allow the one knowing to have power. Jesus reacts in the very best possible way: "Be Silent!" After all, the less these demonic spirits are allowed to say and do, the less interest the curious might have in them! Also, it is within the sovereign plan of Christ and His Father, to withhold the revelation of who He really is until much later.
Now there is also going on here in the text the matter of Christ teaching from authority. You know, just like the disciples and first century followers, we can have a small portion of the power given in and through the Word of God. If we are faithful in proclaiming the essential and true Word of God, that Word goes forth and accomplishes the Father's will. Jesus certainly here speaks faithfully the Words of the Father, He preaches in the synagogue almost like He wrote the words He is explaining!
So far, we have two points, the people recognize His authority in the Word, the demons recognize His spiritual authority from heaven. All in all, these happenings in Capernaum might be explained away by recognizing the exceptional Charisma of this man Jesus. But, then there is the third lesson before us in this text!
The Mother-in-Law of Peter is lifted up by the hand and cured from a fever immediately. You and I know that this miracle is not one of psychosomatic suggestion. We are all laid low now and then by fevers which are brought on by the body fighting a real virural or germ induced sickness. Once the fever has run its course and the body defenses have rioted the infection, we are generally very tired, tired from being sick. But what does Peter's Mother-in-Law do? She gets up, and not only welcomes Jesus into her home, but also serves her guests. This would plainly mean cooking, cleaning and everything associated with those chores. If male scholars don't see a miracle here, most housewives certainly can appreciate that one has truly happened!
And so, the small town gossips had a field day, runners went with the news to all of the surrounding villages and after sunset, when they could legally travel - they poured in with those who were sick and possessed. And the gospel writer reports that many were healed and quite a few demons were made homeless. And all of Galilee heard what had happened. Word of mouth is still effective in spreading the Words and actions of our Christ. Certainly, we would not want to begin any healing ministry, but as many doctors well know, a lot of sicknesses are in the mind alone. A lady I once knew went to the Doctor's office at least once a week. The Doctor said that he had to have someone watch the soap operas to hear what were the diseases of the week so that he could be prepared. Five dollars and various colored sugar pills could accomplish an awful lot in the late fifties and early sixties! Those psychosomatic problems are easy if people are willing to hear the truth. Demon possession is another thing. Happily, we don't have a lot of that going on in our own circles. But, I am certain that if you were willing to dig deep into the wretched sectors of our society - you would indeed find more than you would bargain for!
Finally, in our concern for the weak, sick and truly lost - we must not loose sight of being responsible in encouraging doctors to diagnose things as accurately as possible. "Do no harm!" is far too often the modern medical credo - where a much more proactive investigation might point people to the truth about their sinful condition which creates its own medical and mental conditions! May the Lord give us wisdom to discern problems accurately and to speak the truth of Christ to an increasing fallen and sinful world. Amen.
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Resources Used | |
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Keener, Craig S. |
The IVP Bible Background Commentary:
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The New
Geneva Study Bible (NKJV) | |
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Mrk01d |
31 October 99 |