Mark 1:23

Mark 1:23 says, And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,  Mark said there was a man with an unclean spirit in the synagogue.  I believe that many people would have thought that he shouldn't be there, but where is a better place for those who are filled with unclean spirits to be if they are going to find forgiveness and restoration to God.  Verse twenty-four adds, 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. The unclean spirit recognized the power and authority of God.  Mark said that they asked, which would imply either more than one unclean spirit or the man speaking for the unclean spirit and for himself.  Either way, the question was asked as to what they had to do with Jesus, since He was the Holy One of God.  The implication would be that Jesus would be corrupted spiritually by having anything to do with the man.  We can never feel that we can have nothing to do with sinners today if we are a Christian because we are simply sinners saved by grace.  Just as this demon possessed man could not corrupt Jesus, neither can sinners, even those who might be demon possessed, corrupt us spiritually as long as we put our faith in Jesus Christ and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to strengthen us.  Verse twenty-five states, And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him   Verse twenty-six adds, And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man, even though it says he tore the man, with a loud voice he came out, which tells us there was only one unclean spirit.  There was no big battle where Jesus had to fight the unclean spirit.  If we have complete faith in Jesus, if we encounter an unclean spirit, there should be no big battle to cast the unclean spirit out through the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Verse twenty-seven continues, And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.  Mark said the people were amazed and asked who Jesus was and by what authority could He command the unclean spirits, and they would obey Him.  It would seem that the unclean spirits recognized Who Jesus was and His authority before the rest of the people around Jesus in the synagogue did.  As followers of Jesus Christ, we must recognize His power and authority before He can cleanse us of all unrighteousness. There is no unclean spirit that can stand between God and you if you put your faith in Jesus Christ.