February 25, 2025 - Mark 1:24 - Christ the Holy One of God

Mark 1:24

"Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? art Thou come to destroy us? I know Thee Who Thou art, the Holy One of God."

Here is a man possessed by an unclean spirit, whom the LORD Jesus confronted and called out while visiting a synagogue, where he was doubtless a member. This verse highlights the authority and power of the LORD Jesus over evil spirits. It also shows the enmity between the seed of the serpent (Satan) and the Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15).

The unclean spirit recognizes Jesus as the "Holy One of God," acknowledging His divine nature. This moment foreshadows the ongoing confrontation between Jesus and the forces of darkness throughout the Gospel. The words spoken by the demon serve to establish the identity of the LORD Jesus as the Holy One, a term that points to His Holiness, Power, and Deity.

This unclean spirit knew who Jesus of Nazareth was, calling Him the Holy One of God, thereby glorifying Him—though that was not the demon's intent. It’s similar to how some people use Scripture for their own purposes. They may know that God is Sovereign and worthy of all Glory, yet they use Scripture to seek their own glory. "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble" (James 2:19).

Either someone has the Spirit of Christ or the spirit of anti-Christ. The spirit of anti-Christ leads the wicked to seek their own glory, often doing anything to obtain it. They may appear humble to those they pursue, but in reality, they hate God and anyone whom God has chosen and loved eternally in Christ. God grants His children discernment to see through those who serve their lusts, filled with the spirit of anti-Christ. They preach and propagate a works-based religion in opposition to the LORD Jesus Christ and His singular, sufficient work, which fully satisfies God the Father. All such individuals will be uprooted, as they have not been planted by God the Father. “But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up” (Matthew 15:13). "Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them" (Jeremiah 12:14).

Amazingly, the man with the evil spirit was found comfortably among the other worshipers in the synagogue, yet he was not exposed until the LORD Jesus Christ appeared to address him and call him out. The spirit of anti-Christ was within him, but it was hidden behind the garments of false religion, like those around him, all of whom were in darkness and unbelief. While the man with the evil spirit was exposed by Christ, the others in the synagogue were just as self-serving. They did not have Christ in their hearts, no matter how many times they spoke His name. The evil spirit in this man recognized the LORD Jesus, both in His humanity (Jesus of Nazareth) and His Deity ("thou Holy One of God"), yet it was still a rebel against the very one whose name it proclaimed.

There are many professing Christians who take Christ's name on their lips, but there is no revelation of Him in their hearts. "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:22-23).

Those who, by the Spirit of God, acknowledge Jesus Christ as the "Holy One of God" do so in truth, not in hypocrisy, as did this demon. The phrase "Holy One of God" signifies Jesus' divine purity, sanctity, and separation from all evil. It highlights His unique status as the Son of God, set apart to fulfill God’s purpose of the salvation of His people on earth. In the context of the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus’ identity is gradually revealed, this declaration by the demon serves as a clear recognition of Jesus’ divine nature, even though the people around Him did not fully understand it yet.

The term "Holy One" is often associated with God in the Hebrew Scriptures (e.g., Isaiah 6:3). By calling Jesus by this title, the demon is forced by the LORD Jesus to acknowledge that Jesus is not just a teacher or a prophet, but the divine Son of God—distinct and separate from all sin and evil. The demon’s declaration also points to Jesus' power and authority over the spiritual realm, as demons, in particular, fear His presence and His mission to defeat them.

Therefore, the title "Holy One of God" in Mark 1:24 affirms that Jesus is the Divine, Sinless Messiah who has authority and power over evil and will bring God's salvation to those elected sinners that the Father gave Him to save.