A Man with an Unclean Spirit - Mark 1:23

Mark wrote how Jesus and his new disciples, “went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-three of his book, Mark wrote how, “there was in the synagogue a man with an unclean spirit” where we read:

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

The verse reads, “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit;” Mark began words, “and there was in the synagogue” which means “and within the assembly of Jews in Capernaum where people formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures” “a man” which means “a certain male human being” “with an unclean spirit” or “possessed with a not cleansed, impure, morally lewd and foul disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one”. Mark shared about “a man” who was within the “synagogue” in Capernaum and was possessed with an “evil spirit” or disposition.

The verse continues, “and he cried out.” Mark added the words, “and he” which means “the man with the unclean spirit” “cried out” or “raised a cry from the depth of the throat or screamed aloud”. Mark shared how the “man with the unclean spirit” screamed and shouted loudly.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we are told of this “certain man” who was within the worship center located in Capernaum. Jesus was teaching there, and this man interrupted Him by “screaming aloud”. Now we might imagine how startled everyone in the “synagogue” was by this man's crying out, but Jesus was there, and there was no need to fear. God is “omnipotent” which means “All-Powerful”, and even when there are people in His midst who “cry aloud” to interrupt, He remains in control. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with everyone who will yield their lives to His “All-Powerful” Son Jesus, and when they submit themselves to Him, they align themselves with the One who is never altered by those who “cry out”.

Next time Mark tells how the “man with the unclean spirit” said to Jesus, “let us alone; what have we to do with you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".