What Do You Want With Us?

Mark 1:23-26

23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24 "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!"
25 "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" 26 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
NIV

I get the feeling so many of us ask this question voiced by this spirit long ago. What do you want with me? Notice the possessed man is in the synagogue, in their church. Was the evil spirit comfortable in that place, or was it a great place to find a gathering of those seeking God that they might be turned? It reminds me of the story the fall in Genesis.

Jesus does come to destroy, but to destroy sin. When we are immersed in sin it can feel like He came to destroy us, but that is not the case. 25 "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" He seeks to free us so that we might truly live. He wants the best for us, more that we could ever imagine.

The evil spirit knows who Jesus is but rejects Him. There will come a time when Jesus will call out all the evil spirits in the world and they will be cast out forever.

Oh Lord
Remove any part of me that is not pleasing to You
Fill me with all that is