February 1, 2009 Deut. 18:15-20
Mark 1:21-28
“Where Have All the Demons Gone?
All I have to do is mention the name, Linda Blair, and you know what’s coming.
On December 26, 1973 the movie, “The Exorcist” began to terrify people around the nation. Many of you will recall that at about the time Father Karras played by Jason Miller, begins to sprinkle holy water on the head of the possessed young woman, Regan, played by Linda Blair, things start to get rather intense. When Regan’s head completes a full 360 degree rotation, the audience screams, with some heading for the exit!
The movie caused a lot of nightmares and triggered all kinds of discussions about demon possession. Many people believed that the film had somehow tapped into a bona fide source of evil and dealt with real life and death themes. There were all kinds of spin offs from this film in the world of psychiatry. People had trouble going into their attics, or down into their basements because they were fearful that hiding in the dark corners were demons just ready to jump into their bodies and take over their lives.
The movie was a phenomenon much like the movie “Jaws.” People barely were recovering from “The Exorcist” when about 18 months later they were traumatized by the great white shark which, come to think of it, may very well have been possessed itself! So, stay out of the attic and stay out of the water, especially around Cape Cod.
One can certainly see how mass hysteria develops. Fear builds upon fear and suddenly instead of being an isolated emotion, it becomes a movement. We speak of “waves of fear” and that is exactly what happened with both of these movies.
“Jaws” was about sharks but the movie “The Exorcist” was loaded with religious symbolism, myths, and sounds of struggle between the forces of good and evil. It was a movie about failing faith and the imposing consequences for failure to remain strong in adversity. The story managed also to tap into the deepest crevasses of our minds. It was more than a “psychological thriller,” for it actually tormented people. There’s just something really horrifying about the idea of demons around us actively working to bring us over to the side of the devil. There is a fear in our psyches that evil can actually take human form and cause terrible things to happen to us; it is the source of all our temptations to fall from grace.
The story from Mark today highlights the power of the Word. Jesus is shown to be an amazing teacher, but in the middle of the segment there is a story within the story. A man who is possessed by a demon receives attention from Jesus and the demon or unclean spirit comes out. Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, the man convulses, cries out loud, and the unclean spirit leaves.
This is one of those amazing biblical moments that can be used to differentiate between the biblical literalists and those who would find other ways to understand the story. The bible tells us that Jesus dealt with all kinds of unclean spirits and demons. The literalist in asserting the truth of all this, then has to bring unclean spirits and demons into the 21st century. The non-literalists of which I am one, assert that in Jesus’ day, mental illness was not understood the way it is today. Typical to all situations when we don’t understand something we fear it, and we label it evil.
Long before we knew about geophysics we thought the gods were angry with us when a volcano erupted. Long before we understood science and medicine the way we do today, there were witch doctors with their magic concoctions that would cure us of problems caused by evil spirits. So, the question from today’s exorcism raises a whole host of questions both biblical and theological. And thanks to our 12 minute rule, something akin to the 2:00 minute warning some of us will see later today in the Super Bowl, we don’t have enough time to raise them all, let alone address them!
By the way, how many Pittsburgh fans do we have here this morning? How many Arizona fans do we have? How many people don’t care who wins the game? How many are more interested in the half time show than the game?
Back to the story…Personally, I would love to have been there to witness this incredible event. I would like to have seen it first hand and to observe this actual exorcism.
I mentioned many questions. Here’s one: did Jesus understand mental illness the way we do today? Here’s the classic dilemma. Orthodox Christianity says that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine. The human side of him would have a first century understanding of mental illness. But the divine side, would it not know what we know today and more?
Here’s another thing to consider: Jesus didn’t write this story. The Gospel of Mark wasn’t even recorded for that matter until some 40 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. So, this raises all kinds of questions about the story as told through a first century Christian who used verbal, unwritten accounts to formulate the Gospel of Mark. This exorcism is explained through the lens of a first generation Christian theologian.
I am just getting started with this fascinating text and we are already into the fourth quarter!
So let’s look at another angle of the account. After Jesus says, “Be silent, and come out of him!” the people are amazed. I can understand why.
But then they say this, “What is this? A new teaching!” This exorcism event is built into the theme of teaching. The power of the Word of God as it comes through Jesus Christ can do amazing things.”
The healings done by Jesus are sensational. They fascinate us and they amaze us. But his teachings are foundational. The healings are mostly anecdotal but the teachings are much more central to who he was. The Sermon on the Mount is a major synopsis of his teachings and it provides the very backbone for our Christian ethics and living. These teachings are primary while the dazzling healings are secondary.
If we dwell on the exorcism, we really miss the point. In the same way, if we debate whether or not Jesus actually walked on the water we lose track of the fact that what was important is that Jesus made it a point to minister to the disciples who were fearing for their lives. In the same way, the feeding of the 5,000 was not multiplication of the loaves and fishes, but the way all those people including the uncounted women and children who were with Jesus in the first place to hear his words, to learn from his teachings.
The demons we face today are not entities outside plotting to take us over, but the struggles within. The devil is not wandering around the earth in a red suit, pitch fork in hand. But, evil is there as we fail to apply the teachings of Jesus to our everyday lives as we sadly separate ourselves from God.
I spent a lot of time in church when I was a child. The church was my home away from home. I went to Sunday School, Pilgrim Fellowship meetings, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Junior Choir, church suppers, congregational meetings, bazaars, Christmas pageants, fellowship hours, work days, and more. During that time I met many fine people who taught me by example how to be a Christian. I truly believe the Word of God came to me through many of them. As Ross Synder explained several years ago, we all have “indwelling significant others” and most of them entered my life through church.
By example, by their kindness, by their words of encouragement and by their wisdom they had a major impact on whom I am today. They taught me how to be a Christian. There was no talk of demons, but just an abundance of good works and kindly acts.
While the story of the exorcism is intriguing to me and while its elements certainly appeal to Hollywood, the real story is that Jesus was first and foremost a teacher. His message is one of salvation and hope; about compassion and forgiveness; and kindness and love. After the exorcism, the man was able to return to his faithful worship-which what brought him to the synagogue in the first place.
Today’s marvelous account from Mark is less about mystery and demons and more about a loving God who came to us in Jesus Christ to teach us a new way.
