Big God
23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching--with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." (Mark 1:23-27)
After Jesus was baptized by a reluctant John, the baptizer, Jesus was driven into the wilderness by the Spirit. There, he faced and overcame the temptations of self-aggrandizement that Satan presented. Strengthened by this private reckoning with who he was and how he would live into his identity as the fulfillment of God's promise, Jesus began calling his disciples. Mark's gospel recounts Jesus' calling of two sets of brothers - Simon and Andrew, and James and John. In the synagogue with his new followers, Jesus gave the first public display of his power when he encountered a man possessed with an impure spirit. The spirit in the man called Jesus by name but also knew who Jesus really was - referring to Jesus as the Holy One of God. The spirit obeyed when Jesus commanded silence and when Jesus demanded that the spirit come out of the man.
Jesus had only just begun his ministry, and his very being was already calling the physical and spiritual world to account. Though he had not yet defeated sin and death with his resurrection, Jesus was already toppling the complacency of the faithful and creating paths to wholeness for those who had been cast out. God desires justice for us and through us. We are called to honestly assess our actions and our motives so that we can truly serve God by serving others. Nothing we face, and nothing in us, is insurmountable or impossible for our big God to tackle. Through Jesus, we have the power of heaven fighting for us and fighting for the world through us.
1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. 2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. 3 Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. 4 He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds; the LORD is gracious and merciful. 5 He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant. 6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations. 7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. 8 They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. 9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever. (Psalm 111)
