Mark-The Demon in the Synagogue

By Mary Vee
Mark 1

From Mark's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Remains of the synagogue in Capernaum
The area has several rooms and is quite large.

My name is Mark. I am a disciple of Jesus.  I am here in Capernaum with Peter, James and John the sons of Zebedee, and other disciples who travel with Jesus where ever He goes, listen to him speak to crowds, and stay with Him afterwards. 

Capernaum is on the northern side of the Sea of Galilee. This is the town where Peter lives. Today is the Sabbath. Jesus woke early and wanted to go to the synagogue, as is the custom on the Sabbath.  We went with him.

Once the people gathered at the synagogue, Jesus began to teach. The service is not like what many of you have today where usually one person stands before the people and teaches. In our time, if a man had something to teach, he taught. On this day, Jesus was the first to speak. 

He talked for a time, and as he did, the men whispered to each other. This was not considered rude. Discussions and learning happened when these questions grew louder than a whisper. This time, their whispers came with surprise in their voice. The men felt, and I had to agree, that Jesus spoke as a person of authority. As though the words He said were His, not simply teachings from the scroll. 

They seemed confused whether they should respect His authority or not. 

From the back of the room, one man stood and shouted at Jesus. He said, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?" The voice coming from the man was deep and raspy. By the fierce look on his face and the sound of his voice, we knew a demon had taken over him. It then said, "Have you come to destroy us?"

Those sitting near the man scooted away. No one wanted to be near demons.

It shouted louder, "I know who you are. You are the Holy One of God!"

The men looked at each other and whispered words I couldn't hear. The other disciples and I watched Jesus unsure what would happen next. 

Jesus sternly looked at the man and shouted, "Be quiet! Come out of him!"

That very instant the evil spirit shook the man violently and left him with a terrible shriek. The man collapsed down to his seat and had a calm but tired look on his face.

The men in the room were so shocked. Their voices rose saying, "What is happening? Is this a new teaching? He spoke with such authority!" They looked at Jesus then at one another. "Jesus even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him."

The men left the synagogue that day and went about telling everyone what they had seen and heard. "Jesus spoke with authority. It was nothing like the rabbis we've heard spouting the teachings they'd been taught. Then he made that demon leave that man, right in front of us."

Neighbors told friends who told family and their neighbors throughout all of Galilee what Jesus had done. 

Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.