“A man … possessed by an evil spirit cried out, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’”
Mark 1:23-24
Meet Jesus the demon destroyer. The demon knew he’d met his match when he saw Jesus.
I don’t quickly throw all illness, struggles, and trials under the umbrella of “demonic activity,” but I do believe in Satan’s influence. People are overwhelmed with drug, alcohol, or sexual addiction; are victims of mental, physical, or spiritual abuse; face lives that are destroyed because of crimes against them and/or their family. The devil’s hold on this world is real.
So we need to see what happened when the demon encountered Jesus. “‘Be quiet!’ said Jesus sternly. ‘Come out of him!’ The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him” (vv. 25-26). Jesus muzzled and dismissed the demon. The evil spirit went away shaking and shrieking. The people were amazed. While the devil’s guiles are real, our Savior’s power is greater!
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8). From what evil has Jesus delivered you? Give thanks. Do you need deliverance today? Pray as Jesus taught: “Deliver us from evil.”
I don’t quickly throw all illness, struggles, and trials under the umbrella of “demonic activity,” but I do believe in Satan’s influence. People are overwhelmed with drug, alcohol, or sexual addiction; are victims of mental, physical, or spiritual abuse; face lives that are destroyed because of crimes against them and/or their family. The devil’s hold on this world is real.
So we need to see what happened when the demon encountered Jesus. “‘Be quiet!’ said Jesus sternly. ‘Come out of him!’ The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him” (vv. 25-26). Jesus muzzled and dismissed the demon. The evil spirit went away shaking and shrieking. The people were amazed. While the devil’s guiles are real, our Savior’s power is greater!
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8). From what evil has Jesus delivered you? Give thanks. Do you need deliverance today? Pray as Jesus taught: “Deliver us from evil.”
Scripture Focus
Mark 1:21-28
Insight
“The prince of darkness grim,/ we tremble not for him/ … his doom is sure;/ one little word shall fell him” (Martin Luther, 1529). That word is “Jesus!”
Bible In A Year
- Genesis 3-4
- Psalm 2
- Matthew 3-4