Mark 1:21-28

The Last Word

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

February 1, 2015

 

For centuries, the ancient city of Fengdu was known throughout China as the city of the dead.  According to legend, the gates of hell were located there, and so was thought to be the home of the devil.  The city sat on the banks of the Yangtze River, until several years ago when the Three Gorges Dam was built, flooding the town.  After the people of the city were relocated, citizens placed signs around the city counting down the days until the town would be destroyed.  Many of these signs portrayed the image of the devil as a symbol of the city.  The days of Fengdu were limited, and so were the days of the devil. The flood would wash over the city as well as obliterate the gates of hell and its lord, the devil.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, the floodgates have opened.  With the coming of Jesus, has come the beginning of the end of the devil’s hold on sinful humanity.  Jesus has come ushering in the kingdom and reign of God, bringing with Him forgiveness of sins and eternal life. In doing so, He breaks the devil’s grip.

The gates of hell cannot prevail against the building up of Christ’s church.  The first miracle of Jesus recorded in Mark’s Gospel is this exorcism, making it clear that Jesus comes to destroy sin and the power of the devil.  This unclean spirit knows who Jesus is. There is no doubt in his statement, “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.”

In a sense, Jesus has invaded the devil’s turf, and the demon responds to the threat that Jesus represents.  “What have you to do with us” is a common statement in Jesus’ day basically meaning, “You have nothing to do with me. Stop meddling in my affairs. This is none of your business.”  But this is exactly Jesus’ business.  This is exactly why Jesus has come, because of the uncleanliness of the world brought about by sin.  Jesus’ words spoken with authority and power still cause a stir today.

How often do we try to say this to Jesus when he shows up in our lives.  “What are you doing here, Jesus. I don’t really want you around, what I am doing or thinking is none of your business.”  We may not have a demon, but what has come out of our hearts has dirtied both body and soul.  “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (Mark 7:20-23). All these come from the depths of our heart.  They are not merely mistakes or bad choices – it is sin.  That which misses the mark falls short of the glory of God.  It hurts and defiles others, and it hurts and defiles you.  Sin makes you unclean.

We are always tempted to be like this man with an unclean spirit.  We’re tempted with thoughts, “I have my opinion, you have yours.  Who are you to tell me that I’m wrong.” We’re tempted to speak when we should be silent.  We’re tempted to accuse others in order to justify ourselves.  We’re tempted to explain away our uncleanness making use of our own words as though our words have the power and authority to excuse us and our actions before God and our neighbor.  There is no excuse for sin. There are no words you can speak, no works you can do, no way you can justify yourself, save yourself, or cleanse yourself, no matter how hard you try, no matter how pious your intentions, no matter how strong your love.  You cannot cleanse your dirty heart.

So what are we to do? CFW Walther, the first president of the LCMS and of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, used to say to seminary students, “We have no power but the power of the Word, but we have the power of the Word.”  Jesus casts out demons by His Word. The same word that created all things, now restores all things. And that same Word is still proclaimed for all the world to hear and believe.

When it comes to sin. When it comes to the devil.  When it comes to your dirty heart, Jesus has the last word in the matter.  His Word does not just stop there, but continues to enliven, continues to guide, continues to cleanse you throughout your whole life.  His Word is still proclaimed with the same power and the same authority.  While, hopefully, none us here are possessed with an unclean spirit, and we may not see exorcisms all that often in our culture, we do experience that same powerful word each Sunday, “In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  Through faith in Christ, the dirtiness of your sin is forgiven.

But even then, His Word does not stop.  Not even the uncleanness of being buried in a dirt 6 feet under can mute Jesus’ Word.  For from that grave of yours, you will hear Jesus have the last and final word. Arise, live, come you are cleansed by the blood of Lamb.  The peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds on Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.