In Mark 1:16-20 we are told that Jesus and the freshly called fishermen were in the Synagogue on the Sabbath.  Scripture tells us that the people are astonished at His teaching.  His message was about the Kingdom that was being established in Him and was different than the teaching they were accustomed to and delivered by religionists who demanded obedience to manmade rules, regulations and traditions.  As Jesus teaches, there is a collision of good and evil which is manifested in a sudden interruption.

And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
(Mark 1:23-28 ESV)

Jesus not only taught about the Kingdom of God, but demonstrates the kingdom of God through His actions that will be described throughout the Gospel of Mark.  Mark’s writing style is to get the reader to understand the meaning of events instead of giving details of the events he writes about.  As we read and study Mark, we should always be looking for the meaning of the events that take place and this event is no exception.

Jesus introduced to the world the kingdom of God, not only through His words, but through His actions.  With Jesus coming into our world, Satan’s kingdom was disturbed.  Satan’s kingdom realized who Jesus was and what authority He had as the Son of God even though the people did not.  In these five verses of Mark we see the two kingdoms collide, but it’s just the beginning.  Jesus will not only be victorious over demons, but also sickness, disease, hunger and death.  He will show through his actions that the Kingdom of God breaks through the powers of evil that seeks to destroy people.  His authority as the Son of God ensures His victory.  He walks the earth conquering the powers of evil and He dies on an old rugged cross.  On the third day He was resurrected and defeated death which is evil’s greatest weapon and people’s greatest enemy. 

At the cross, Satan was defeated, the power of sin was broken and God’s Kingdom became available to ALL people through Jesus Christ (John 3:16).  Jesus accomplished His mission on earth and because of His obedience to Father, He was re-glorified and placed back at the right hand of Father (John 17:1-5).  Jesus is now ruling supreme over His Kingdom.  As we fix our eyes on Jesus and follow Him and continue His point of need ministry, those around us will realize the wonderful kingdom that He places in each follower.  Why? - Because their felt needs will be met through Christ followers continuing His point of need ministry.

Know that you are loved,
gaj