Journey with Jesus: Nuggets from the Gospel of Mark

Who is this Jesus? (Mark 1:21-28, NIV)

BY REV. LISA MORRISON

Who is Jesus to you? Is He Lord? Is He Savior? Is

The purpose of the gospel of Mark is to answer this overarching question: Who is this Jesus? In our passage today, we find Jesus arriving at the synagogue. This is the first time we’re told of Him being at a synagogue. Mark writes that the people are amazed because He taught as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law (v. 22). This statement gives us insight into who this Jesus might be since He teaches unlike the other teachers of His day. He teaches with authority that comes from God. He has a grasp of the scriptures and teaches them with a holy understanding unlike the typical synagogue teachers. Who is this Jesus? they begin to ask themselves.

While Jesus is teaching, “a man possessed with an impure spirit cries 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!’” (v. 24) Do you see what the demon recognizes? He knows Jesus’ name and where He is from – Jesus of Nazareth. The demon knows Jesus has the power to destroy all the demons. He also knows who Jesus is when he calls Him the Holy One of God. Who is this Jesus that even the demons know and recognize His power to destroy them and call Him the Holy One of God?

What happens next also helps us answer the question of who this Jesus is. Jesus with strong warfare language — direct and rugged — demands the demon to shut up and come out of the man. “The impure spirit comes out of the man with a shriek.” (v. 26) The people are amazed at this exorcism. This is unprecedented. The demons are commanded by Jesus, and they have no choice but to obey Him. They must come out of the man.

Who is this Jesus who teaches with authority? Who is this Jesus that the demons recognize as the Holy One of God? Who is this Jesus who commands the demons, and they have no choice but to obey Him?

Mark stacks up the evidence in response to their amazement. How do you answer the question being asked in this gospel: Who is this Jesus?

Lisa Morrison is an ordained minister who has served as pastor and staff pastor in several positions in the local church as well as in district ministerial and educational leadership positions. She has also served as Adjunct Instructor in the Religion Department at various educational institutions of higher learning. She holds two master’s degrees and a post-graduate degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.