Demonstrating authority over evil things was a massive part of Jesus ministry. 

The point of this description of what happens when a demon is cast out isn’t to explain how things function, but to warn against the danger of a negative repentance. If the right thing doesn’t move into the wrong thing’s place then the wrong thing will just return. 

Jesus experienced so much more demonic activity than we experience because Satan wanted to stop his mission. Also, it is much more strategic for the enemy to convince us that that stuff doesn’t even exist. 

The principle being taught by Jesus is applicable far beyond demons. It can be applied to sin, addiction, bad self image, etc. The goal of removing bad things is to make more room for God. 

“We never become good by NOT doing things, but by filling life with lovely things.” -William Barclay 

Salvation is not just about what we are saved from, but primarily about what we are saved to. 

Mark 1:14-15 

At first glance it doesn’t seem obvious that this teaching connects to the compliment that the woman stands up and gives about Jesus’ mom. 

Vs 27-28 the percentage of being widowed was much higher in the time of Jesus than today. Having a son was incredibly important because they would be the support for the widowed mom. A great deal of pride or shame was attached to a mom based on the behavior of the son. It was common to compliment and praise a person by expressing how honored the mom is. The only part that would have been odd to the audience would have been Jesus response. Jesus doesn’t confirm or rebuke her blessing. He redirects by using a word that means “indeed, really, truly, or rather.” It can be used to emphasize or correct. All three other times this word is used in the NT it is translated to emphasize- “Yes indeed, but even more so…”

Blessing relies on our response to Jesus rather than our genetic connection to him.