Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” (Mark 1:23-27)

Demons Obey Him, But People Don’t

Jesus had the power to heal all diseases, to set aside the laws of nature (walking on water), to raise the dead, and to cast out demons. The miracles of Jesus could be performed even when Jesus was not present at the sick person’s location. He could speak, and the power of God would heal or raise up. A woman with a blood issue touched the hem of His garment and was healed. All of these proved the man from Nazareth to be the Son of God. Multitudes came to Jesus to be healed and left completely restored to health from all diseases, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

One of the manifestations allowed by the Father during the ministry of Jesus and the early church was demon possession. There are numerous stories of demon possession in men, women, and children. A man of the country of the Gadarenes was possessed by a demon called Legion and was healed by the Finger of God. Often, when confronted by Jesus, the demons would cry out. They knew who the man from Nazareth was and called Him the Holy One of God. The demons knew their future was set in stone for destruction. Jesus rebuked the demons to not speak of Him as the Son of God. Their rebellious spirit continued to exalt itself against the Holy One as they taunted Jesus. Commanding them to be quiet, Jesus demanded the unclean spirit to come out.

As the people watched Jesus heal the man with an unclean spirit and the spirit obey, they realized the incredible power of Jesus. He commanded demons, and they obeyed Him. It was a new doctrine for them to see and hear how Jesus commanded the demons. The Jewish leaders had no teaching on this matter, and yet this man from Nazareth exercised complete control. How could a man with no pedigree show such power and authority? He commands the unclean spirits, and they obey Him. The people were amazed and marveled at Jesus, yet they failed to see the deeper truth that stood before them. If the demons knew Jesus was the Holy One of God and obeyed, why didn’t the people know Jesus was God and obey?

God created man in His image, a little lower than the angels. Man was created for the glory of God. From the beginning of time, God revealed Himself to the world so there would be no excuse for His creation not to honor and praise His name. While the demon world knew and believed Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, the world denied Jesus. The demons obeyed Jesus without fail. They called Him the Holy One of God because they believed Him to be the Christ without question. Jesus revealed His glory to the world, and men denied, ridiculed, and killed Him. The demons know their future is the second death. Man is given the choice of eternal life or facing the second death.

How is it possible that demons obey Jesus and man will not? The destiny of man is not set in stone unless he turns his heart away from the Son of God. There is never an occasion when a demon did not obey Jesus, but the scriptures are filled with men disobeying the words of Jesus. Even today, most of the world denies Jesus to be the Son of God, and yet the whole demon world believes and knows Jesus to be God’s Son. James will later observe that men boast they believe in Jesus and refuse to obey when the demons also believe but are damned. Faith alone will not save a demon. Why should it save a man? The demons obeyed Jesus because they knew who He was. If a man does not obey Jesus, he will not be saved.