The CROSSroads: Personal Lessons from Mark's Gospel by Rev. Mitch Schultz

Updated
2001-05-26; 14:34:15utc

Lesson Fifteen: ARE DEMONS BETTER AT WORSHIP THAN SOME OF US? (Mark 3:7-12)

"They fell before him and cried out." (vs.11)

Mark paints for us a striking contrast here between the crowd and the evil spirits. The crowds "heard all he was doing" and out of curiosity, fascination and perhaps personal need rushed to him. To these Jesus was a popular celebrity who had come to town. The evil spirits react much differently, not because of all Jesus has done but because they know who he is. "They fell down before him and cried out 'you are the Son of God.'" Fear gripped them for they knew that their world had been invaded by the very presence of the living God and it would mean their eventual end. It seems then from the two reactions to Christ's presence that it is the demons who are better at worship than the cheering crowd.

It is also interesting that Jesus puts some space between himself and the pressing crowd, but directly confronts the evil spirits. Acknowledging their correct identification of him, he gives them strict orders not to tell any one else who he is. The pieces where not yet fully in place for this revelation to be made public.

What is it that draws you to Jesus? Why do you go to him? Do you rush to him because of the popular things you hear he can do for you? Or do you fall at his feet in awe because of who he is, as John does in his vision of Christ in Revelation 1:17; "when I saw him I fell at his feet as though dead.". If the demons cried out and fell before him acknowledging his Lordship even over the demonic realm, then what is asked of us who love him and live for him?

Our family recently returned from six years of missionary service in England and I have to confess that some of the changes in those six years to our home country have left me off balance. This was brought home to me when I bought some stamps and proceeded to lick one, only to find out that I was meant to peel the back off and place it directly on my envelope. Perhaps the most disturbing in my six year absence has been the increasing commercialization of Christianity in America. The selling and promoting of Christian material and memorabilia has made the Christian industry a significant part of the economic market of the United States. For example, the Christian music industry takes in a staggering one billion dollars and more each year, forcing the industry to promote musicians with the same marketing tactics used by the world. Christian musicians are celebrities who certainly must struggle with the tension between Christian discipleship and the temptation for fame and popularity. One only needs to visit the local Christian bookstore to see that the name of Jesus has become a commodity to be sold, not a Lord to be worshipped. It's hard to imagine falling down before him and crying out, "you are the Son of God", as your eyes glance over the trinkets and clever Christian ornaments on display. I would imagine like he did in Galilee, Jesus puts some distance between himself and the commercial crowd.

Interestingly, I felt I had a deeper sense of awe in Jesus in the pagan environment of England then I sense here in the saturated Christian community of the town where I live in the Bible belt of the South. I am fighting to retain that sense of awe and wish that this reverence for Jesus would not be watered down in this climate where Christians want Jesus to be a popular celebrity. Don't misunderstand me. I do appreciate the fish stickers, and I value the WWJD bracelets and music. I just don't want to lose the wonder of who he really is. Perhaps we should listen to those demons once in a while.

If worship does not change us, it has not been worship. To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change. Worship begins in holy expectancy; it ends in holy obedience. -Richard J. Foster