Jesus' Authority and Amazing Works: Mark 1:16-31

1. The calling of the first disciples, v. 16-21

A. Jesus calls Peter and Andrew, they immediately follow, 17-18.

a. Andrew had been John’s disciple and he had spoken to Peter about Him, John 1:35-42.

b. Jesus calls James and John and they immediately follow as well, 19-20.

c. They will be “fishers of men”

B. With John in prison his disciples turn to Jesus.

2. Jesus works miracles and preaches with power, v.21-28.

A. Jesus preached with authority, 21-22.

a. The rabbinic method was largely “Socratic”, asking questions and not being definitive.

b. This would have been how the scribes, the religious lawyers of the day, would have taught.

c. Jesus COULD teach this way and occasionally did but it was not His normal approach, look at the Sermon on the Mount.

B. A demon is exorcised, 23-28.

a. A demon possesses one of God’s covenant children, 23.

b. The demon tells Jesus to butt out, he knows who Jesus is, 24.

c. Jesus tells him, basically, to shut up and go away.

-this is a continuation of the confrontation between Jesus and Satan

-the demon screams and runs.

-the people are astonished and start questioning

-Jesus’ authority extends far beyond preaching

-His fame spreads

3. Jesus’ personal touch, He heals Peter’s mother-in-law, 29-31.

A. They go to rest it seems, at Peter’s house, 29.

a. Peter is married.

b. Jesus is told about her illness, v.30.

c. He healed her and she served them, 31.

-Jesus did not social distance

-he did not tell her to come back in two weeks.

-he touched her, raised her up and she was immediately healed.

-this is a Christian approach to healing/health care in an increasingly superstitious day and age.

-this is how Christians have healed through out the centuries in far more plague saturated times than these.

4. What do we learn and do?

understand the power and preeminence of God’s word.

do not underestimate demonic activity

pray for and lay hands on those who need Christ’s healing touch