What ties this passage together is that these events occurred on the same day, a “shabbat” (Saturday). Through it we see Jesus in a “typical” day, so to speak.
· In the synagogue teaching with authority, 1:22-23.
This was a good way for Jesus to connect with the Jewish people, the ones to whom He had come to present Himself. What people heard from Jesus was different than the usual synagogue sermon. He didn’t spend His time quoting the rabbi’s or hammering on incidental matters of the Law of Moses. He spoke as having authority from God.
· In the synagogue commands unclean spirits, 1:23-28.
Now this didn’t happen on every Sabbath. But it did this time. I want to use this situation to share some thoughts gleaned from the 1915 edition of the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) concerning Jesus casting out demons.
1. There was no single way unclean spirits presented themselves. It was often in a physical way and indicating mental difficulties. It might or might not have looked like a sickness (epilepsy on one occasion). Often the demons spoke to Jesus but not always. Jesus had a connection as Creator and because the angels, good or evil, reported to Him.
2. Not every problem Jesus encountered was attributed to demon-possession. The way Jews understood demons (and the Babylonian approach) was to refer to a demon behind every problem.
3. In the Gospels, the spirit of Christ was evident. There was no panic or excitement but their was calm assurance.
4. In the NT there were actual cures, though the unclean spirits could return.
5. Jesus acknowledged that unclean spirits were real.
6. His preeminence was unmistakable.
7. The most important words for us would be what Jesus spoke on another occasion: “This kind can come out by nothing, save by prayer” (Mt. 17:20f).
In Evangelical circles, in recent years, there have been books written about how to deal with demons. What we see in the NT is not a simple pattern. We are instructed rather to “put on the whole armor of God” in order to deal with the forces of wickedness. The key is found in a full experience of the life of Christ. One interesting thing here and in Jesus’ other encounters on demons is that there is no emphasis on how the person got the demons. That doesn’t seem to be critical.
· Outside the synagogue healing the sick, 1:29-31.
Why did Jesus heal the sick? Isa. 35:5-7; 29:17-19: To demonstrate His Messianic authority (as the Son of God, Son of David).
John 20:30-31; Heb. 2:3-4: To call people to believe in Him.
· In the evening an abundance of signs, 1:32-34.
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