Mark 1:21-26

Mark 1:21-26 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit 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!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

John 3:19-20 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

Evil does not like to be in the presence of good. Evil tears down, destroys; good builds up, restores. Evil brings death, good brings life. Jesus said, "Call no man good." Goodness is only completely resident in God. Because Jesus was God, He was good. But outside of God, mankind is contaminated by evil, sin. Sadly, he tends to be so exceptionally self-centered that his own best actions tend to bring pain and destruction. Notice how we are gobbling up the resources of the earth at this present time without thinking of future generations that might exist hundreds of years from now if the Lord delays his return. Our basic instinct is to cry out to God, "Am I my brother keeper? I am not a servant to anyone. I do my will, not another's will, not even your will, God." We cling to our lives, our selfish plans and purposes, not God's eternal plans and purposes. Even when God gives us the Promised Land as with the children of Israel, and even when He delivers us from all our enemies, we still cannot make a just society, a peaceful community. The warfare within us, our sinful nature, will even destroy God's land of promise and abundance.

Demons are the embodiment of evil, of destruction. We see in the New Testament demons trying to destroy their host. “It (a demon) has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” (Mark 9:22) Evil destroys, evil hates, evil discriminates; evil lusts, murders, tortures--obeys the bidding of its master the devil. Notice the demon cries out, "Have you come to destroy us?" Us? Well, maybe there were more demons in that gathering of people or perhaps the man was troubled by more than one demon. But a more expansive picture is that Jesus came to destroy all evil. He came to put the stamp of death on all that evil encompasses. The demons knew Jesus' purpose, his mission, and they knew that evil does not co-exist with good. Good, the seeking of God's will and not your own. Good, the servant attitude that does good to those who even abuse and misuse you. Good, the love of others that will prefer them above yourself even to the point of death. God is good and in him there is no darkness, no evil. “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good — except God alone." (Mark 10:18) We Christians are to display God's goodness to the dark world. Evil abhors good, but we should bring goodness to the world regardless. To the world we represent death, for evil ways will be judged some day. This makes the enemies of God fearful of their fate and stirs up evil. But our attitude should not be to judge or to condemn. Our commission is to help, to restore, to bring goodness to a dying world, steeped in sin and darkness. We should go where darkness abides and bring the light of God's holy love, his unreserved mercy and grace.