GREAT THINGS ENTERPRISE
CLAUDE BLACK
MARK 1:26
Arrogance does not Equal Victory
In St. Mark’s account of the man with an unclean spirit who interrupted Jesus’ lesson in the Capernaum synagogue, two voices came from the man. The first voice was that of a mocking, derogatory interruption. “I know you, who you are, the Holy One of God.” (1:24) The first shout was true but offered in a negative, inappropriate way. “And Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him.’ And after having convulsed him and crying out in a great voice, the unclean spirit came out of him.” (1:25-26) The second “great voice” was one of defeat, but the unclean spirit did not give up easily; it convulsed the man. This particular word, “convulsed,” is used throughout the New Testament only to describe demonically engendered actions.
There were two voices, one an arrogant challenge and one defeat and submission. St. Luke said that the evil spirit threw the man down but did him no harm. (Luke 4:35) This is somewhat similar to the giant Goliath, who sneered at David. “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” (I Sam. 17:43) The second sound was the “Uh, thud” as the giant hit the ground, dead. In both cases, the evil voice of challenge was followed by the voice of defeat.
There are many instances of arrogant challenges ending in the ignominy of defeat, such as the evil spirit’s challenge to Jesus in the synagogue ending in its eviction or Goliath’s arrogant dismissal of David. The arrogant, challenging voice or situation is not the end.
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