“Have you ever been in a really dark place?” I asked God’s people as I began a sermon on Mark 1:21–28 this morning. Struggling with darkness might include those who have suffered abuse at the hands of family members or church figures, those who are wrestling with serious illness, and even those who may be struggling with sinful temptation. You have hope even in dark places, for Mark points you to the first miracle he records Jesus performing.

            On a Sabbath, probably the first one after calling four fishermen to follow him, they enter the synagogue at Capernaum, and Jesus begins to teach with an authority that amazes the crowd. The reverence of the synagogue service is shattered by the piercing confrontation between a man possessed by an unclean spirit and Jesus. Satan the great imitator, responds to the incarnation by having his followers take over various human beings. Although demon possessions seem to have clustered during the time of Christ’s earthly ministry, Satan and his fallen angels continue to seek to harm God’s people today. There are dark places.