Who Won The Struggle?

 23 Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, 24 "What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you're up to! You're the Holy One of God, and you've come to destroy us!" 25 Jesus shut him up: "Quiet! Get out of him!"

There is a counter force in our world that is working to dilute God’s teachings.  Trying to scramble God’s influence in our lives and in our culture.  And I am convinced that we need to not only be aware of it but also name it -- or them -- as the case may be.  In Mark’s Gospel (see below) this counter force is called an unclean spirit (NRSV) or "afflicting" or "defiling" spirit (The Message).  In those early days, it was understood that, an unclean spirit was something that defiled, smeared, stained, soiled -- made dirty.  An unclean spirit was, and is, a spirit influenced by Satan.  That is a force that works in opposition to God.  Like the one we read about in the Book of Job!   Satan’s aim is to disrupt and destroy the relationship between God and humanity.

This force is alive and well in today’s world!

The power struggle between clean and unclean -- God and Satan -- was defeated by Jesus.  Jesus came to overcome the powers that defile and stain our hearts and minds.   Unfortunately the power still exists!   And I am not absolutely sure why!  Because if Jesus defeated Satan’s power; then why is he/it still around?  Off and on my mind gets in a tangle about this!  I will probably never have an answer until I come face to face with God.

There was a moment, years ago, when I was face to face with a young confirmation student that had dabbled in Satan worship with some friend.  We had just completed a day of retreat and ended with a Taiza service. Apparently he had been moved by the music and prayer; because after all the other students had left the room he was still sitting on the floor with his head on his knees softly crying to himself.  When I approached him I asked if there was anything I could help him with.  He looked up at me with tears running down the cheek of his strong teenage face and said: "I am scared!"  Then he explained to me what he had been involved in.  He feared for his life!  My first reaction was to pray!  I did!  I prayed "help!"  I can't remember how I began to talk to him.  But I know I talked about how I strongly believed that Jesus had more power than Satan.  That Jesus would help him to resist any  temptations Satan put before him.  I talked about how Jesus faced Satan, referring to Luke 4.  Talking about how we who believe in Jesus have hope of survival over such forces.  Our conversation seemed to help.  He finally got up, thanked me, and gave me a hug.  We never talked about Satan again.  But I noticed a change in him as his high school years past.  

I can't imagine what that young and had seen and heard during those times with Satan worshipers.  But, it must have been so scary!  And some how magnetic!    What I do imagine, is that these unclean spirits are very loud, very persistent, and often very attractive, persuasive, and completely convincing.  Something that  attract the ego in us.  And our curiosity!   Maybe something that make sense at the moment of meeting this "thing" that a tempts.  

I actually don't usually give Satan too much time in my mind.  I don't at all appreciate its presence in our world!  It can make me mad!  And, as frustrating as it is!  I am certainly not afraid of it!  I am not afraid because, despite my confusion about Satan's existence, my God given faith sustains me.  Gives me confidence!  Because, despite my tangled mind about it all, I know that Jesus won this power struggle!  The unclean spirits obeyed Jesus and left the man at Jesus command.  

And what I do know is, and what I told that young man, Jesus does the same for you and me.  All we have to do is listen, and believe, and live in trust in the hope that our unclean spirits hear Jesus‘ call to "get out of" us.  

We are after all saved by such faith!

21 Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. 22 They were surprised at his teaching - so forthright, so confident - not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars. 23 Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, 24 "What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you're up to! You're the Holy One of God, and you've come to destroy us!" 25 Jesus shut him up: "Quiet! Get out of him!" 26 The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly - and got out. 27 Everyone there was incredulous, buzzing with curiosity. "What's going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and sends them packing!" 28 News of this traveled fast and was soon all over Galilee. (Mk.1:21-28 The Message)