With Authority

Mark 1:21-28

4^th Sunday after the Epiphany ~ Feb.1, 2009

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. “With authority,” the people recognized Jesus teaching as one with authority. In Mark's opening chapter he lays out many things about who Jesus is; from His baptism, to teaching, calling disciples, to healing. In the section we encounter today we see Jesus as one who the people recognize as having authority.

We begin with Jesus entering into the synagogue and teaching the people. Now this isn't unusual. Many rabbis, traveling leaders, etc would come and speak and teach in a synagogue. The Sabbath was often spent not only in formal worship but often was devoted to teaching and learning. So Jesus is teaching the people. Mark doesn't record for us what Jesus was teaching. We don't have something like the Sermon on the Mount where we can read what He was saying. What Mark records for us is the reaction of the people - “And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mark 1:22, ESV) Whatever He was teaching was making a huge impact on the people.

Have you ever had a person in your life that your were in awe and amazed at their authority over a subject or situation. One comes to mind for me and that is a professor I had in the seminary by the name of Dr. Brighton. I took him for Revelation class and was reminded of him again as I am now preparing to teach Revelation again (and using a lot of stuff from Dr. Brighton's materials). This was a man who had studied Revelation for many years. He was so good at the original language, Greek, of Revelation that it was the only way he studied and taught – using only his Greek text. He was passionate in his teaching and we the students recognized him as one who taught with authority in the subject. And to top things off he had a full head of white hair and white mustache and reminded me of a Moses-like person.

The people recognized the authority of Jesus. But what was different about His teaching. For one thing, Jesus probably didn't refer to any one else to back up what He was saying. You see that was a common and expected practice in Jewish teaching that a teacher would not rest on his words alone but would always back it up with other people's words. I call this footnote teaching. To illustrate this point I would like to tell you about there Talmud. The Talmud was a series of interpretations or commentaries on the Scriptures, the Old Testament, that was often used and refered to in teaching. It carried a lot of weight in Jewish teaching. I found an image on line of a page out of a Talmud book, and while this wasn't from the time of Jesus, it probably illustrates well how “commentary” by others was viewed. In the middle of the page was a square containing text from the Old Testament taking up maybe a quarter of the page. The written all the way around the page was the Talmud text, the commentary on the Old Testament passage.

But Jesus didn't refer to others, He didn't back up His claims by other's words and interpretations. Jesus spoke of His own authority. How could He do this? Well He was the primary source – the very Word of God made flesh. Being the primary source He didn't need to back up anything. And it was with this authority that the people were astonished. If Jesus spoke this way He was either a crazy, arrogant person, or He was God! And that challenged the people. Their astonishment could be summarized this way, “Who is this man?”

But Jesus show of authority didn't stop there. More than just teaching words, His words also carried power and action. A man get up in the synagogue. (was this a new visitor, or was it someone who was a regular to the synagogue? We don't know) This man is possessed by an unclean spirit, a demon. The unclean spirit cries out, “'What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.'” (Mark 1:24, ESV) Holy One of God – this is a unique name used for Jesus here and it illustrates the stark contrast between the holy and unholy. Again, this is a sign for us that Jesus is unique, not like other humans – He is holy. And if He is Holy then He only can be of God. The unclean spirit knows full well that the holiness of God will destroy anything unholy, unclean, imperfect. And so the unclean spirit cries out in fear when faced with the Holy One of God, the Messiah.

Jesus speaks again and this time Mark records His words, “Be silent, and come out of him!” (Mark 1:25b, ESV) At first as we hear these words and see the reaction of the unclean spirit we can see Jesus authority as one that demands obedience. Like a child obeys a parents directions. But I think there is more here. I think Jesus words don't bring obedience, because the spirit is unclean, and rebellious by nature. The unclean spirit doesn't obey, it just does! Jesus words are so powerful, His authority so complete that there is no choice in the matter. The unclean spirit is silent and does come out, just by the mere authority of Jesus' words. No that is power!

And the people are now not just astonished, but amazed. The English doesn't convey this very strongly. The Greek word has more of the connotation of awe, fear and trembling. The people are “quaking in their boot” and the authority of Jesus – that He can even cast out unclean spirits.

In this Epiphany season we see the revealing of Jesus as true God and here we see His Godly authority. And why not? It was with words that God created the universe and we came into being. It was with mighty words that Yahweh led the Israelites in the Old Testament. And now, in the words of John's gospel, “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1). The very Word of God is Jesus. And we are astonished and amazed at His teaching with authority as the people were that day in the synagogue.

But here is the more amazing part – with all the authority of God Himself, with the power to cast out unclean spirits, Jesus takes all of this and goes to the cross, dies and rises again for the world. For you and me Jesus takes all that He has and redeems us. His power and authority are not used in destruction but in salvation. The destruction comes for sin, death and the power of the devil. But for us, it is for our good, our forgiveness, our new life.

The authority with which Jesus taught He still teaches as His living and active Word works in our hearts and minds bringing about faith, forgiveness, hope and new life. His Word, in the Scriptures, speaks even today with the same authority as when Jesus spoke in person. His Word leaves us astonished and amazed at the grace and mercy He has poured out for us.

And not only in word but in deed. As Jesus cast out the unclean spirit He casts out all sin and the power of death from our lives. He lives and breaths in us and casts out all that is unclean and makes us whole again. All the power of the cosmos, used for our good, for our salvation. Now that is amazing. Thanks be to God for the victory won for us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen.