Columba Comments...
Short reflections written by members of our congregation
1 February 2009

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Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

By Nicky Cusworth

Jesus teaches at the synagogue in Capernaum, and casts out an evil spirit, causing astonishment among the congregation.

Additional readings: Deuteronomy 18.15-20; Psalm 111;
1 Corinthians 8.1-13

Exploration

This passage describes the first of many occasions when Jesus casts out spirits (exorcisms) and heals in Mark, and is typical of the energy and drama of the gospel’s early chapters. Jesus preaches “with authority” at Capernaum, but Mark doesn’t bother telling us what he said – we must wait until Chapter 4 for the first detailed report of Jesus’ teaching.

Instead, the focus is on action. Jesus’ conflict with the evil spirit ends in victory and a successful exorcism. The evil spirit knows Jesus and names him “holy one of God,” reinforcing God’s endorsement of Jesus’ ministry a few verses earlier at the baptism (1:11).

Other exorcisms in Mark follow a similar pattern (Mark 5:1-20, 9:25-27). Beginning with a confrontation, the evil spirit recognises (names) and resists Jesus. The evil spirit is overcome with a command and cast out; the bystanders are amazed; and Jesus’ fame spreads. Later in Mark’s gospel Jesus silences demons to keep his Messianic identity secret (1:34; 3:11). But here, the command to silence comes after Jesus has already been publicly named “holy one of God”. In Jesus’ day, use of someone’s name was believed to give power over them. Jesus successfully counters the evil spirit’s attempt to use this power against him by silencing it.

The issue of Jesus’ authority features prominently in this incident (1:22, 27). In Mark, Jesus’ teaching is authoritative because Jesus has divine authorisation (1:11) and thinks as God thinks (8:33), while the scribes appeal to the authority of tradition and scriptural interpretation (7:1-13). In Jesus’ day, exorcists would cast out demons in the name of a higher power, using ritual prayers, actions and objects such as amulets and herbs.

But Jesus performs exorcisms by his own authority, and his word of command is enough to drive out the evil spirit. The congregation reacts with astonishment at these demonstrations of authority in both teaching and exorcism.

This passage introduces several important themes that will recur in Mark’s gospel – the source and nature of Jesus’ authority, conflict with scribes and other religious authorities, and supernatural knowledge of Jesus’ identity.

Questions for Reflection

Ř  What does teaching “with authority” mean to you? How would we react to a new and unexpected way of preaching at St Columba’s?

Ř  In Mark’s gospel the disciples are often painfully slow to understand Jesus’ mission and identity. How do we recognise Jesus at work in our world today? What blind spots can cause modern-day disciples to miss the meaning of God’s actions in our world?

Ř  Do you think Jesus’ spreading fame (1:28) was due to his message, his miracles, or his authority? Which of these is most significant for you?

Ř  What do you think exorcism meant to first century Palestinians? What does it mean to us today?

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