He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him. Mark 1:27
There are many accounts in Mark’s Gospel where demons or unclean spirits obey Jesus. Mark 3:11 tells us that “whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, ‘You are the Son of God.’” Chapter 5 shows Jesus commanding the many demons called “Legion” out of the Gerasene Demoniac (Mark 5:1-20). As we travel through Mark in this year’s cycle of Mass readings, keep your eye out for who listens to, obeys, and recognizes Jesus as the Son of God and who does not. You might be surprised!
This leads me to ask why the Gospel shows the demons obeying Jesus. Doesn’t that detail seem strange? The short answer is that the demons understood Jesus’ true authority. Even though the demons chose to disobey God the Father, they knew that Jesus was the Son of God and had to obey His authority, He who is the “King and Lord of the universe” (CCC 786). St. James underscores the importance of this point: “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19). The demons believe in God, but they do not obey Him.
The people of Capernaum were amazed at Jesus’ authority: “The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22). I think that Jesus wants people to be more than just surprised by His authority; I think He asks us to go beyond that and surrender ourselves to His authority. When we can surrender to God’s will because we recognize that He is the King of our hearts (1 Peter 3:15), He can show us His true power of providence and love. This is what Jesus’ authority means to me: that He is my King, deserving of all my love and trust. That He wants what’s best for me in all things, and that His plan is better than anything I can conceive for myself.
Jesus, I believe and trust in You. I believe that God the Father has given You all authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18). Help me to be obedient and surrender to Your holy will.