Saturday, February 4, 2012

Mark 1:29-39 Jesus drives out demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him


On leaving the synagogue
Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.
Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever.
They immediately told him about her.
He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up.
Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

When it was evening, after sunset,
they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons.
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons,
not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

Rising very early before dawn, he left
and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, "Everyone is looking for you."
He told them, "Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come."
So he went into their synagogues,
preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee.



In this passage, we see Jesus' ministry activities. Here he heals the sick, preaches the Kingdom of God, and drives out demons.  One interesting line is that he dove demons out preventing them to speak about him because they knew him. This is one of the themes of Mark's gospel. The people, the disciples, and his close friends do not know he is the messiah. It is the demons who know his true identity. Jesus is able to drive out these demons because he is invested with the power of God. He makes the Kingdom of God a reality by serving God's will on Earth.

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