Amazed at His Authority
Notes
Transcript
Intro; After Jesus left Samaria he headed north through Cana into Capernaum on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus set up his headquarters here and most of the rest of His earthly ministry was spent in this area until he went back to Jerusalem to face crucifixion.
As Jesus starts his ministry in this area, He performs many miracles of healings. Why did Jesus heal so many people?
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—
But before Jesus did any miracles in Capernaum he taught in the synagogue. That’s what I want us to look at tonight as we continue our “Journey to the Cross”
Text; Mark 1:21-28
21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.
22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.
1. Teaching in the Synagogue; 21-22
1. Teaching in the Synagogue; 21-22
[v. 21] The first thing Jesus did when he got to Capernaum was to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath Day. The synagogue was much like the local church in those days. Every community of Jews containing ten families was required by rabbinical law to have a synagogue.
The synagogue system was established during the years of Israel’s Babylonian captivity, around 586 BC. They could not go to the Temple to worship, so they came together in the synagogues to read the Law; teach the Law and worship God. They usually met on Saturday [sabbath], Mondays and Thursdays.
A normal service consisted of a scribe or rabbi reading a portion of scripture and then sit down and begin to quote other rabbi’s thoughts upon the scripture. It was kind of boring and dry because they did not give the real meaning of God’s word, but mens thoughts or opinions about it. There was no spiritual light or truth in the services.
But when Jesus taught the people were amazed [astonished] because He taught with authority.
Astonished- to be stricken as by a blow; to be struck with amazement; dumbfounded.
Authority- power over, control of, grasp of the scriptures
Jesus was different than the scribes/rabbi’s who talked about the law, rituals and traditions. Jesus illumined the mind to the truth of God’s word.
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
When Jesus said that “today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”, He was proclaiming to be the Anointed One of God, the King in the line of David in whom the promises of God would be fulfilled! [2 Sam. 7, 1 Chron. 17]
Preach the Gospel to the Poor- poor in health, wealth and spiritual condition who do not know the Lord. Jesus came to save sinners!
Heal the Brokenhearted- those who oppressed by men, sin and Satan
Preach deliverance to the Captives- being held at spear point. Those who were held by the oppression of men and the grip of sin
Recovery of sight to the blind- physically and spiritually blind
Set at Liberty the oppressed- free those who have been beaten down by the effects of their sin, men and religion
Preach the acceptable year of the Lord- Year of Jubilee, hope of restoration and redemption of man
2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Jesus made it a practice of going to the synagogue, to teach the truth and encourage the people. Each time He went was an opportunity that he seized to make a difference in others lives. Coming to church is an opportunity to grow in our faith but also to make a difference in someone elses life at church and in the world!
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
2. Unclean Spirit in the Synagogue; 23-28
2. Unclean Spirit in the Synagogue; 23-28
It’s amazing that ungodly people [demon possessed person] can be in the synagogue/church and no one knows. That reflects bad on the spiritual condition of the synagogue/church. Not until Jesus came in did they know about the demon possessed man.
[v.23-24] It is amazing what religion will do for you, nothing! Religion will put you to sleep spiritually and make one blind to the Son of God!
The unclean spirit recognized Jesus before the religious people did!
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
The fruit of our faith is manifest in the walk of our faith. And that’s not just the works of giving and helping others, but more-so in the recognition of what is right and wrong, good and evil, light and darkness and how we address those issues in faith.
19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
The world is under the sway, influence, power and grip of Satan just like this man was. But God has given us the command and the opportunity to make a difference in the world while we are here!
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
If we want people to be Amazed at the Authority of Jesus Christ, if we want Him to be famous, then we need to live like we believe it too!
