January 28, Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Mark 1:21-28
Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 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.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
In this Scripture passage from Mark, Jesus’ listeners in the synagogue are amazed that he taught with authority. The were in the city of Capernaum, which in Hebrew means “Village of Comfort.” Jesus’ authority was of the highest source – from God alone! and not from humans. His power and his authority lay in his unique and intimate relationship with his Abba, the One who said of Jesus at his baptism, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased (Mt. 3: 17).”
And so when the man with an unclean spirit encountered Jesus, he rightly characterized Jesus as having power of the highest kind. “I know who you are, the Holy One of God (Mk 1: 24).” Only someone with the power that Jesus had could free this man, and he knew it.
In our day and time, perhaps a person with an unclean spirit could be someone who suffers from the scourge of addiction, which is a negative force that can truly take over one’s body and mind. In AA, recovering alcoholics turn their will over to a “higher power” to help them on the road to sobriety.
All of us have situations in our lives that keep us from true freedom. Just like the man with the unclean spirit who found freedom in Capernaum, the village of comfort, we can find healing by placing our trust in One with the highest authority, Jesus.