Do you know the active authority of Jesus the Son of God in your life?
Today we are going to look at the Gospel of Mark and see how Jesus began draw followers to himself, and validate his ministry as the Son of God. Notice the irony that Mark begins to develop as everyone tries to figure out who he is.
“And they went to Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 ‘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. 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.
WHAT DID JESUS DEMONSTRATE WHEN HE CLEANSED THE MAN OF AN UNCLEAN SPRIT?
Jesus and his disciples, the four fishers of men, entered into synagogue on Sabbath. Jesus began to teach and all hell broke loose.
1. JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OF THE TRUTH! 1:21-22
In the OT times, scribes started as clerks, keeping records and checking them with the Law. But in NT times they had gained high authority as professors, teachers, moralist, and lawyers. They sat at the head of festival tables, people rose when they entered, and were part of the elite that attended the Sanhedrin court.
Jesus did not teach like the scribes
Their method was to validate everything they said by the writings of previous rabbis. They held the religious writings of men to high, and buried the word of God with religion.
Jesus astounded his listeners with the authority of his teaching
He did not refer to religious writings except to correct error (i.e. Sermon on the Mount, “You have heard it said…But I tell you…). He knew the word, as if he wrote it, because he did! He embodied the truth of Gods word!
Does the word of God embody you? What is your plan to grow in the knowledge of God’s word?Do you want to grow in spiritual authority? See your friends and family get saved? Set free?
When we communicate the Gospel, the Holy Spirit gives us authority!
Learn to speak the words of God. I was recently asked how to grow in this authority and suggested reading a Bible book or key passages over and over until it had become part of them How long? Until it flows from speech!
2. JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER EVERY PRINCIPALITY AND POWER! 1:23-28
Many people dismiss the idea of demons as a superstition of the ancient world. They claim that Jesus was merely accommodation their beliefs. However, the biblical record will not allow this view—One would have to ether tear Mark out their Bibles, or cast doubt upon the canon of scripture, by discounting Mark’s words—I wouldn't want to stand before God having done that!
Over and over, Mark, as well as the other Gospel writers, make it clear that Jesus accepted the reality of demons. In fact he used his authority over them as a sign of his Sonship in the kingdom of God!
What was a demon possessed man doing in the synagogue?
The unclean spirit could not resist Jesus’ authority in teaching!
The spirit was unclean, meaning ceremonially unclean, and fowl. Used to describe demonic spirits. The demonic looses control, loses their ground, and bondages are broken when Gods word is spoken.
The unclean spirit engages in spiritual warfare!
The demon attempts two attacks!
First the demon said,“What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” This is an idiom used by one officer of an army, towards another, to warn the other to not get involved with the battle or take sides—It is like one thug saying to another, “This is not your fight”
Second, the demon said,“I know who you are—the Holy of God!” Ancient world believed that you could gain control of someone by knowing their true identity.
Notice Mark’s irony, the religious leaders didn't know who Jesus was, the people didn't know, the disciples were still working it out—but the demons knew! And JC silenced them!
The unclean spirit was conquered by Jesus!
Jesus rebuked him (technical term for exorcisms), but unlike the lengthly and ceremonial rebukes of the day, Jesus rebuked him by his word, “Be silent, and come out of him!” and the man convulsed and the spirit had to leave!
3. JESUS HAS AUTHORITY OVER OUR EVERYDAY PROBLEMS! 1:29-34
“And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. And would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him” (1:29-34).
It was customary to return home after synagogue, and share a Sabbath meal with friends and family. But when Jesus and the boys returned home Peter’s mother-in-law was down with a fever.
To some might seem insignificant to compare Peter’s mother-in-law’s fever with the exorcism in synagogue, but that’s because you are not a mother with a house full of hungry boys! No, really, this is Peter’s Gospel, this is his eye witness account, these are his personal details. This account captures the personal touch of Jesus. The point: Jesus is concerned with common people with their common needs!
Do you turn to Jesus before you turn to an aspirin? Not that aspirin is wrong, but do you think Jesus has the capacity to handle your small stuff while handling all the big stuff?
He took her by the hand and lifted her up!
In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus touched her (Mt 8:15), in Luke’s Gospel Jesus stood over her and rebuked the fever, and gently raised her up (Lk 4:39).
“Thus, we have a composite picture of Christ standing close to her bed, taking her by the hand, rebuking the fever, and gently raising her up before Peter and his wide-eyed friends” (Kent Hughes).
He healed many and cast out many demons!
The whole city had seen or heard about Jesus’ authority over the unclean spirit in the synagogue, but Sabbath law forbid them from labor until sundown. As soon as it was sundown, the entire city was at Peter’s front door. They had brought Jesus the sick and oppressed, and Jesus worked the night shift healing everyone of them!
Jesus’ authority was so distinct that in one day he was wildly popular in this city. But we cannot assume that they understood the spiritual implications for this display of power. They came in need, not faith, at least not yet!
Does it make you a little uneasy to read that demons are a reality? Listen to the words of John to believers in this world,
“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he [Satan] who is in the world” (1Jn 4:4)
The Son of God abides in every believer through the Holy Spirit. Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
May you know the authority of Jesus in every aspect of your life this week! May you demonstrate his authority this week! May the Holy Spirit lead and train you to keep in step with the rule of God!
This article is part of a series, "Son of God--Servant to Man"
on the Gospel of Mark.
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