Mark 1:21-28 “How To Live The Spiritual World”

Suggested Praise Songs:

• “Still” by Hillson Chapel   
• “Came to My Rescue” by Hillsong United
• “My Father” by Yeram Worship (Korean Praise Song with Eng. Sub.)
• “We Will Not Be Shaken” by Bethel

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• “This Little Light of Mine” by Northview Kids – Song for Kids
• “Deep Cries Out” by Bethel Music Kids – Song for Kids
• “I Won’t Be Afraid” by Lifetree Kids – Song for Kids
• Key Teaching Points for Children
  • Jesus Teaches with Power:
    • Jesus didn’t just explain the Bible—he taught with love and authority as the Son of God. His words had the power to change people’s hearts.
  • Jesus is Stronger Than Evil:
    • The evil spirit was afraid of Jesus because it knew he had power over all evil. Jesus came to defeat evil and bring us closer to God.
  • We Don’t Need to Be Afraid:
    • Just like Jesus protected the man in the story, he protects us too. When we follow Jesus, we can trust that he is always with us, even when things are scary.
  • The Holy Spirit Fills Us with Strength:
    • Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit. When we pray and ask for the Holy Spirit, he fills our hearts too, giving us peace, courage, and strength to do what’s right.

Explanation:

Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum (verse 21), a town near the Sea of Galilee known for its thriving fishing industry and trade. Around 20 A.D., a Roman centurion built a synagogue there to gain favor with the local people. Jesus used Capernaum as a missional base for his ministry and frequently preached at the synagogue on the Sabbath. The phrase “He began to teach” suggests that this was not a one-time event, but Jesus was repeatedly invited to preach during Sabbath worship.

The people of Capernaum were amazed by His teaching. “He taught with authority, not as the teachers of the law” (verse 22). This doesn’t mean Jesus was intimidating; rather, the people felt a powerful challenge in his words. Unlike the teachers of the law who explained Scripture, Jesus challenged them with the words of the divine authority.

One day, as Jesus was teaching, a man with an “unclean spirit” suddenly cried out (verse 23). “Unclean spirit” can be translated better as “evil spirit.” The Bible refers to these spirits as “evil forces” that Satan uses to deceive and lure people away from God. Evil spirits can control people’s minds, making them reject God or even act and speak abnormally. Christian psychologists today distinguish between clinical mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, and spiritual possession.

A person possessed by an unclean spirit feels threatened when confronted by someone filled with the Holy Spirit. The man possessed by the spirit felt terrified in Jesus’ presence and cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” (verse 24). It wasn’t the man speaking, but the evil spirit inside him. Ironically, the evil spirit was the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, calling him “the Holy One of God.” The spirit knew its time was running out.

Jesus firmly commanded, “Be silent and come out of him!” (verse 25). The spirit violently convulsed the man and came out with a loud shriek (verse 26). Everyone in the synagogue was astonished and asked, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even commands evil spirits, and they obey him!” (verse 27). The people were amazed that Jesus’ authority wasn’t just in his words but also in his power over evil forces. News of this spread quickly throughout Galilee (verse 28).

Meditation:

Everyone has a worldview—a way of understanding life and the world. This worldview shapes our thoughts and behaviors. A materialist believes only things that they can see and touch are real, often dismissing belief in God as superstition. On the other hand, people with a spiritual worldview believe that invisible spiritual forces can affect their lives. Some seek fortune-tellers, shamans, or spiritual guides, asking for help to control their circumstances.

Believing the gospel means adopting Jesus’ worldview. Jesus knew the physical and spiritual worlds as the Son of God. He taught that the spiritual world is real, and God the Creator actively works through it. In this world, there are also evil forces led by Satan, who uses “unclean spirits” to deceive and control people. While these spirits can sometimes fully possess someone, making them behave irrationally, their usual strategy is to confuse and tempt people to turn away from God subtly.

Just as harmful bacteria exist in the physical world, destructive spiritual forces exist in the spiritual world. But just as life-giving energy in our bodies is stronger than disease, the Holy Spirit is far more powerful than evil. Living in fear of bacteria and isolating ourselves in fear is unhealthy, just as living in fear of evil forces can be damaging. Instead, we should be cautious but spiritually strong, just as we strengthen our immune system to stay healthy. Jesus taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13).

To resist evil, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit daily. Living a life empowered by the Spirit is the best defense against spiritual deception and temptation.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for destroying Satan’s strongholds and protecting us from the deception and temptations of evil spirits. I surrender my heart to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Fill me completely, Lord. Help me live daily walking in the Spirit’s power and wisdom. Amen.