And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
(Mark 1:21-22 KJV)
After Jesus' baptism as he began his ministry it was not the disciples or any living human being who recognized him as the Holy One of God. It was an unclean spirit. The unclean spirit knew that Jesus had the power to destroy it. And... all the people were amazed. His fame spread throughout the region. Yet, the people did not recognize who he truly was.
As they followed Jesus for the next three years; although they saw many miracles and witnessed many amazing events in Jesus life, the disciples never fully realized that Jesus was the Holy One of God. They never truly grasped that he had come not to overthrow the powers of the authorities on earth; but, to overthrow the power of sin, death, and the power of the devil for them. They did not understand that he came to die for them. The demons understood this. They knew that he had the power to destroy them. As St. James put it: "the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2:19)
So you say you believe? Even the devils believe! They know he exists. But, they do not love and worship him. Do you?
God's Peace - Pr. J.
