February 15

“Be Silent And Out Come Out” Mark 1:21-28

This case is unusual because of where it took place - in the very house of God! Why in the world would a man possessed by demons even be interested in going to the house of God? When I think about the fact that in Jesus’ time, Jews were taught to avoid that which was unclean at all cost. They would avoid people with leprosy who cried out “unclean, unclean” because they were deemed unclean. They would avoid women who were experiencing their monthly cycles because they were labeled unclean. Yet, here in their midst is one of their own-worshipping, serving, dressing right, and talking right and still unclean. The good news is that although the people tried to avoid the unclean - Jesus sought them out.

Hillcrest we serve a Jesus who likes to get up close and personal and have direct contact with those people and places that seem unclean. Jesus sought to make the filthy fit for the kingdom. Jesus was God’s detergent for a dirty humanity. He reached into the places that others could not and would not go. He would reach people that the prophets couldn’t get to, the priests couldn’t get to, and the kings couldn’t get to. And that is what he is calling the church today to do. We are to be the cleansing agents for a filthy world. He wants us to reach those who others will not touch because the world has deemed them unclean.

What is so amazing to me about this man’s deliverance is no one was shocked that there was a man with an unclean spirit. No one was surprise at the presents of sin, even in the synagogue, the church. It was just the way things were. God has given us authority to confront evil in our life and around us. He has given us authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. The same risen Savior, who encountered those unclean spirits long ago with an authoritative word, is alive today. He still speaks such words to today’s bound people. The same authority is available today for us to declare to any unclean spirit, “Be silent, and come out.” Jesus was talking to those spirits of selfishness, jealousy, dissension, envy, doubt, fear, rebellion and the like “Be silent and come out” Every time Jesus met someone demon-possessed He kicked the demons out!

What A Mighty God We Serve!
Shaun Estrada