The Power of a Name

I was reading in Mark 1 about Jesus casting out a demon.

21They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24"What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"

25"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" 26The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

27The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." 28News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

What's in the power of a Name? Jesus knew this demon, because He had created it as an angelic being. They knew each other intimately from before Satan's rebellion, and casting out of heaven. The lines are blurred from the natural to the supernatural: Jesus sees the man, controlled by the demon, and he sees the demon, a rebellious angel. He speaks to the demon, and they converse briefly. Redemption for angels was not in the plan.

In today's world, this conversation between Jesus and the demon may have been like this:
"Jesus, what do you want from us? Please don't send us into eternal condemnation yet. We know who you are, even in the human form."
"I wanted to esteem you, but you rebelled. For you there is no hope. Do not speak my name. Leave that man, for him there is hope, there is salvation through me. Your time has not yet ended. My Spirit is over this man, now."
Upset, but grateful the demon still had it's life intact, it shrieked and came out of the man in search of another host.

God is intimately knowledgeable of His creation, for though He spoke it into existence, each creature is uniquely made by Him. Each creature is designed and brought to life to worship God. Sadly, not all have wanted to return His love.

Whose name do we whisper? Whose name do we draw power from? Whose name do we obey? Who do we listen and heed when He calls? Do we obey because of love, or because we are compelled by His power?