“Then they went to Capernaum. When the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people there were amazed by his teaching, because he taught them like one who had authority, not like the experts in the law. Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, ‘Leave us alone, Jesus the Nazarene! Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’ But Jesus rebuked him: ‘Silence! Come out of him!’ After throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. They were all amazed so that they asked each other, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands the unclean spirits and they obey him.’ So the news about him spread quickly throughout all the region around Galilee.” —Mark 1:21–28
Jesus spoke and taught with authority—and His living Word continues to teach believers with the same authority through the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Jesus came to earth as a Spokesman from and for God. This truth should not take us by surprise. Those who heard Jesus stood astounded—overwhelmed at the manner and content of His teaching–particularly in contrast to the teachers of the Law of Moses. The contrast between Jesus and the religious leaders of His day was noticeable. The religious leaders were simply a reflection of the authority of the Law, but Jesus was authority personified! At the closing of the Sermon on the Mount in the book of Matthew we see the crowds responding to Jesus in much the same manner as the people in Capernaum:
“The crowds were amazed by his teaching, because he taught them like one who had authority, not like their experts in the law.” — Matthew 7:28–29
In our verses for today we also see that the demonic forces also understood exactly who Jesus was. Indeed, the evil spirit proclaims that Jesus is the Holy One of God. This happened at other times in Jesus’ ministry as well. We read in Matthew:
“When he came to the other side, to the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were extremely violent, so that no one was able to pass by that way. They cried out, ‘Son of God, leave us alone! Have you come here to torment us before the time?’” —Matthew 8:28–29
Jesus’ authority was not limited to the demonic world, but extended to nature as well. His wide-eyed disciples stood in awe when He rebuked the wind and the waves in their presence. We see their reaction in the Gospel of Matthew:
“And the men were amazed and said, ‘What sort of person is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!’” —Matthew 8:27
Finally, I am reminded of Jesus’ words right before He ascended into heaven:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” —Matthew 28:18–20
Become More
As disciples of Jesus we are to have a limitless confidence in His authority. We are not to lean upon our own limited resources, abilities, and knowledge. Jesus confronts us with this question in every circumstance we encounter: “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” And just as the father with the demoniac child exclaimed to Jesus, we too should exclaim: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
“Jesus asked his father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he said, ‘From childhood. It has often thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you are able to do anything, have compassion on us and help us.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘If you are able?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.’ Immediately the father of the boy cried out and said, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’” —Mark 9:21–24
Further Reflection
“Only
two things have ever changed the human soul: the fall and grace, the power of
Satan and the power of God. And God is infinitely more powerful. Nothing is
stronger than grace. Satan doesn’t have any. God is defined by it.” —Larry
Crabb