In the synagogue there was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come out to destroy us? I know that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!” The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.
Mark 1:23-26
An unclean spirit or a demon possessed one of the men attending the service. Mark’s language and phrasing insinuates that Jesus’ teaching provoked the demonic spirit. Jesus said just the right words to irritate the spirit to speak up and reveal himself. Jesus had bothered him so much that he was forced to cry out. Then Jesus relieves the man of the demon; the demon submits to Jesus’ authority.
Even if you doubt the existence of demons, the message is clear: Jesus really heals. His loving presence and authority save the man from his real or figurative demons and grant him a fresh start.
Interestingly, in the Gospel according to Mark, only the demon and the Roman centurion at the cross (who is a pagan) declare Jesus to be the true Messiah. But all of the people present notice that Jesus speaks and acts with a new, never before seen authority.
Pray today for the grace to fully accept Jesus’ authority. Trust him to find the right words for you and allow him to bother you long enough to get rid of something that bothers you.