Confrontation between Good and Evil
John’s done his thing and consequently been arrested for it.
In the meantime he did manage to baptize the Lord—so, yes, John successfully has done his thing. The Lord fasted forty days in the desert, being tempted along the way by the evil one. Then, with John now locked up, JC takes center-stage in the public awareness of the Jews at that time. He picks up where John had left off, with the same message, “Time’s up!” He starts putting his team together—of, at first, fishermen. And, here we are, all caught up with the beginning of Mark’s rendering.
Jesus comes to Caparnaum. He starts teaching them on the Sabbath in the synagogue. He floors them with the authority of his teaching. He commands obedience, even of the evil spirits. He immediately starts to become famous.
Contrasting surroundings and confrontation. Juxtaposition of good and evil. Desert, Caparnaum. Land, sea. Christ, the devil. John arrested. Jesus tempted. Man possessed. People astonished.
We’re not in Kansas anymore.
Mark—a disciple of Peter, writes to the Roman Church already beginning to suffer its hardships for the sake of the Gospel—makes this demarcation. Things as we know them, are not all of a piece. We’re not in Kansas anymore. Pick a side. Or, know whose side you’re on.
