That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
(Mark 1:32-34 ESV)

The Jewish Sabbath is a weekly day of rest observed from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday.  A lot has taken place on this Sabbath day that Mark tells us about in chapter 1 of his gospel.  Earlier in the day, Jesus teaches in the Synagogue and casts a demon out of a man who was in attendance there (Mark 1:21-28).  After the service, He heals Simon’s mother-in-law in the house of Simon and Andrew who were brothers (Mark 1:29-31).  And now, Mark is detailed in telling us that after the Sabbath was over, as marked by sundown, people brought to Jesus those “who were sick or oppressed by demons.”

Notice that the people who were brought to Him where either “sick or oppressed by demons.”  Some in our day have associated illness, especially mental illness, as demonic possession, but this account of Jesus’ life and ministry in Scripture is careful to separate the two.  It would be wrong for anyone in our day to attribute a person’s illness, whether it is physical or mental, to demon possession. 

I have been in the ministry for over 19 years.  I have ministered both within the walls of the church building and outside the walls of church building and beyond the confines of a church service.  I have ministered to those in hospitals and prisons.  I have ministered to young gang bangers in correctional facilities and the homeless on the streets.  I have ministered in America and in third world countries.  I have ministered to literally thousands of ill people both mentally and physically, but I can count on one hand those who were possessed by demons that were made obvious through physical manifestations including voice, facial distortions and actions.  I was never afraid and the Holy Spirit within me always triumphed over these evil encounters.  I tell this to implore you to not associate illness with demon possession.  Many precious people have been wounded and hurt because there are those who have taken their illness and proclaimed them to be demon possessed when they were not at all demon possessed.  It should not be and it hinders the work of those who are utilizing their life to advance God’s Kingdom with the help of the Holy Spirit who gives them the needed and necessary spiritual discernment.

Know that you are loved,
gaj