They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.” Mark 1:21-28

“First events give insight into the larger themes and, particularly, a distinct understanding of Jesus’ mission and character in each of the Gospels. In Matthew, Jesus is a teacher and (new) lawgiver like Moses. In John, he creates unexpected and unimaginable abundance. In Luke, he is the one who releases those held captive, heals the ill and infirm, and proclaims good news to the poor and the Lord’s favor to all. And in Mark…he picks a fight with an unclean spirit.

Mark’s Gospel, that is, starts with a confrontation. Whatever dramatic value beginning with a fight scene might initially promise, however, there is little doubt of who will win this showdown. The spirit protests Jesus’ very presence, and Jesus casts him away with a command as authoritative as it is succinct. And because of Jesus’ bold teaching and power over this spirit of oppression, his fame spreads quickly. Keeping in mind the importance of first events, we can read this scene as Mark’s signal that Jesus has come to oppose all the forces that keep the children of God from the abundant life God desires for all of us. And that message matters because it is still the case: God wants the most for us from this life and stands in opposition to anything that robs us of the joy and community and purpose for which we were created.” (First Things First, David Lose, …in the meantime website, January 26, 2015)

Jesus came into the world to set the world ablaze with the spirit, and his teachings were radical – love your enemies – turn the other cheek – you know, teachings that the people of his day had not heard before – Blessed are you who are poor – blessed are you who are hungry – blessed are you who mourn – blessed are you when people hate you and revile you on account of the Son of Man – the first shall be last – take the seat at the back of the table, not at the front.  But his teachings have authority because they have the authority, a personal authority from G-d to heal.

Maybe that is why the man with the unclean spirit is there as well.  He knows who Jesus is, though the others clearly do not – even his own disciples will struggle with who this “Rabbi”, who this teacher is.  The demon spirit knows that Jesus is the “Holy One of G-d” – Jesus is G-d.  And Jesus heals him.

Look, we all have come today with some “unclean” spirits clinging to us – hanging onto us, or we to them.  And these unclean spirits carry authority over us taking away our trust in G-d because we grant them that authority – taking away our ability to put complete trust and faith in Jesus who has the authority, because he is G-d’s only Son.  And he comes to us again, and again, and again through the Word of G-d and the Sacraments to cleanse us again and again through the waters of our baptisms – and the table that nourishes and strengthens us.

My friends come to the table – you who mourn, you who feel reviled, you who feel unclean, unwanted, unloved – come.  Listen to Jesus Christ – your sins are forgiven – hear the words of the Lord that carry the power to heal and to love – be amazed at the inclusivity of his teaching – let is confound you, let it astound you – let it change your life – Come, be healed, and be made clean.

Pastor Dave