Deacon
Tom Writes,
“I Know Who You Are”
Scholars believe that Mark’s gospel was the first of the four gospels
to be written. It was composed shortly before 70 AD in Rome when followers of
the Way (the name Christian had not yet emerged) were being persecuted and the
devastation of Jerusalem was imminent. After a brief introduction of John the
Baptist as herald of Jesus’ public ministry, Mark relates this short, yet
amazing, story of Jesus curing the man with an unclean spirit. “I know who you are – the Holy One of God!”
says that poor soul. “Quiet! Come out of
him!’ Jesus responds.
Jesus begins his ministry by liberating a man bound up and tormented by
some terrible affliction….sickness….mental condition…demonic possession. The
cause of his condition is irrelevant. What people saw, what made them marvel
was that Jesus had amazing power and that he used it for the well being of one
of his neighbors who had suffered terribly. They ask the question, “What is this, a new teaching with authority?”
Yes, it is, one that we continue to spread nearly 2,000 years later. It is the
quintessential teaching not only of one man’s liberation; it is our story too,
of our struggle to get free from all that imprisons us, from all that has
hardened our hearts and blinded us to the sorrows and sufferings of those
around us. It is a new teaching which calls us to be like the Master, to
imitate him by helping others break free from whatever shackles them,
diminishes their dignity and self-worth, exploits their labor, or impoverishes
them.
No wonder the unclean spirits ask Jesus, “Have you come to destroy us?” They knew very well who Jesus was
and what he had come to do. He came so that we might live life to the fullest,
in the freedom and joy that belongs to all God’s children, to all who profess
faith in Jesus, who turn to him in prayer, and who in their hearts can truly
say, “I know who you are‼”
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
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