One with Authority
Mark 1.21 – 45

We are continuing this series of sermons from the book of Mark. I want to do something this morning to help us understand how the original people saw Jesus. We see him from the point of view of knowing all about him – all of his life. The people in the villages of Judea where he first taught did not know who he was.
Think with me for a minute. What if Bruce and Anita came to the church building this morning – just walking into the door, and they asked to sing to us for a half hour. We would probably say no. We would not know who they were, what they believed, how well they sang. But, since they were here last year and blessed us with their message, we know Living Proof and what they do. They have authenticity and authority with us so we invite them to minister with us.
When Jesus came into the Capernaum to start his ministry, he needed to earn his right to speak to them. He did this in two ways. Turn with me to Mark 1.21-22. Read. First thing he did was he taught in the synagogue but not just like other teachers. Other teachers would quote a rabbi and then another rabbi, but Jesus taught from the scripture and from himself. He taught as on having authority. This is the same thing the Jews said after Jesus finished the sermon or teaching on the mount in Matthew 5-7. I think in the synagogue in Capernaum he taught the same things as in Matthew. Let us look a little bit at what he taught in just chapter 5 to see why the people were so excited and challenged by what he taught.
MT 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. (To make it salty)
MT 5:14 "You are the light of the world. (To give it God’s light)
Mt.5.20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (They worked toward righteousness, we are forgiven)
MT 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, `Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. (Jesus made living for him harder than for the Jews)
MT 5:27 "You have heard that it was said, `Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Outward acts/ inward)
MT 5:38 "You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Revenge/ forgiveness)
MT 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Jesus indeed taught with authority and because of this he earned an authenticity for himself. But Jesus did not just want to be known as a good teacher. He wanted to be seen as the very son of God. So he did the next thing – he used his power to do miracles to show the Jews he was more than just a teacher. Read Mark 1.23-28. Here was a man who was controlled by evil spirits – the demons forced him to do evil deeds for the devil. (The man asked, what do you want with us, so there was more than one.) Demon possession was something Jesus faced often in his time and it is still faced today. When this man came into the presence of the holy and pure Jesus, he reacted to him. When evil comes into the presence of holiness there has to be a clash. Jesus spoke and the evil spirits came out of the man with a shriek. What a tremendous blessing this must have been for the man who was healed, and what a challenge it was to the devil who before was able to control people with evil, but now the holy Lord was able to cleanse those who were possessed with demons. Jesus was stronger than the demons.
The people in the synagogue were amazed by his teachings and his power to do miracles. Read Vss. 27 – 28. Jesus went on to heal others too, but he knew the problems this could cause. People want the miracles but not the new life that comes from God through Jesus Christ.
Jesus cleansed a man possessed by demons and stopped a fever. The people were utterly amazed as we would be, but these are just little things to the all-might God. He spoke and all things came into existence in the beginning. He can cure fevers and drive out demons and heal all kinds of sicknesses when it is best for his plan and purposes. We humans are amazed at such little things. God can and does far greater things every day, most of which we can not even see. By teaching what God wanted for his special people and doing miraculous healings, Jesus earned authenticity with the Jewish people and eventually opposition from the Jewish leaders.
Jesus still meets people today in the same way. We come to Christ either by being introduced to his teachings or we are impressed by his miraculous power, but I think we need both. I was reading about Muslims being converted to Christ even in Iraq today. Many come to Christ by hearing the teachings of Jesus Christ, especially about his love and forgiveness. They are thrilled at these teachings. Others are brought to Christ when he does something miraculous in their lives – a healing or a specific answer to prayer.
I came to Christ mostly from learning about his teachings, but then as time when on in my life I could see the power of the Lord working in me and for me. When we have both we know Christ more fully as the people originally did when Jesus preached and healed in the synagogue in Capernaum. The teachings of our Lord are absolutely true and extremely challenging. The power of our Lord is greater than anything we can imagine. Together they draw us to the Lord and his service.