Big Picture: Jesus’ identity (“Who is Jesus?”) has been Mark’s primary concern from the opening sentences of his Gospel. After relating four “word” parables (4:1-34), Mark records four mighty “deeds” (4:35-5:43) that raise even more emphatically the question of Jesus’ identity.  Each deed is accompanied by amazement and fear in response to God’s powerful presence in Jesus.

Point 1: Jesus, the divine Anointed One, pushes back the kingdom of darkness by rebuking a storm whipped up by evil forces to impede his ministry to gentiles.

• Note the fear of the disciples – both before and after the storm.

Point 2: In the midst of total impurity, Jesus, the divine Anointed One, pushes back the kingdom of darkness by vanquishing an entire army of demons.

• Note the fear of the impure spirit before the exorcism.
• Note the fear of the townspeople after the exorcism.

Point 3: Jesus, the divine Anointed One, pushes back the kingdom of darkness by leaving behind a radically transformed missionary to testify about him.