Jesus had arrived by boat, from the area around Capernaum, to the eastern side of Lake Galilee. The previous day He was teaching crowds about the power of God's Word (Mark 5:1-34).  The previous evening He had rebuked a raging storm and challenged the faithlessness of the disciples.  Now He is confronted with a demonised man.  Jesus is not taken by surprise; He has set up this appointment, with a man who is controlled by many evil spirits, to demonstrate His divine power to those who will become the leaders of the church – so that they will fearlessly confront evil in the Name of Jesus (Acts 16:16-18).

Jesus challenged Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) and then exorcised demons (Mark 1:21-28).  His authority over evil devastated the religious authorities (Mark 3:20-30) and now Jesus shows His disciples who He is.  Or rather, Jesus forces Satan's team to announce His deity, '… Jesus, Son of the Most High God'.  Satan's dilemma is that, at the same time, he both hates and fears God.  Demons are programmed to wreck the work of God, yet they know that He will punish them.  This demonised man was propelled to confront Jesus, and yet could not avoid falling down in worship to beg His mercy.  The reality is that all who stand against the Lord must finally submit to Him.  That will happen when Jesus returns: on that day many will be in deep grief when their 'worst fears' are realised (Revelation 1:7).

Out of the man's mouth, a demon spoke.  It seemed that the final confrontation had come early and the evil-being who terrorised the man was now terrified.  In fear of the pain of hell, it knew that Jesus has the right to consign the damned to its terrors (Matthew 25:41).  The commanding Word of Jesus spells 'exit' to every evil power.  It is the same today: it explains the bizarre double motives and standards of apparently 'normal' people who refuse to submit to Jesus - despite their rebellion, somewhere, they fear His overwhelming power.

The church should have no illusions. Jesus has not come to make the world a nicer place.  He has come to dispossess evil of its power in the world to come, and give enough evidence today so that people and demons can prepare for tomorrow.  That is why the gospel is so offensive to those in sin's grip (even if they do not know it). The good news of Jesus - is very bad news for the spiritual powers which have seized control of the world, and very bad news for those who love this world so dearly.  Strangely, those under Satan's spell are both attracted and repelled to all that smells of Christ.  So, He gives us the weapon of His Word: it is the 'sword' He has placed in our hands (Ephesians 6:17).  It is designed to root out evil - and bring release for many captives (Isaiah 42:6-7).  It is not for physical violence or intimidation, but spiritual authority.  Use it!  Use it today!  In Jesus' Name say 'begone' to evil.