Jesus' Authority and Divinity

Explaining Biblical Christianity

Introduction

When Maya was seven, she heard the word “home” and thought of her grandmother’s kitchen — cinnamon tea, warm bread, and the hum of gospel music on the radio. Home meant safety, softness, and stories told with laughter.

When she was seventeen, home meant the silence of her bedroom after her parents’ divorce. It meant slammed doors, unanswered questions, and the ache of things unsaid.

At twenty-seven, home became a word she whispered to herself as she signed the lease on her first apartment. It meant independence, risk, and the thrill of choosing her own curtains.

Words are never just sounds. They’re containers — filled with memory, emotion, and meaning that shifts with time.

When Maya heard the word “Christianity” for the first time in college, she flinched. She remembered judgment, exclusion, and a sermon that made her feel small. But then she met a professor who lived differently — who spoke of Jesus with gentleness and fire, who listened more than he preached, and who invited questions without fear.

Suddenly, Christianity wasn’t just a word. It was a doorway. A story. A person.

What do you think of when you hear the word “Christianity”?

Our Goal: To learn the real meaning of Christianity by looking into the life, teachings and claims of Christ.

How do we learn about Jesus?

To learn about Jesus we should look to the bible especially the four books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John which speak to the first hand accounts of Jesus’ life, teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. They reveal Jesus’ character, compassion and authority.

Matthew emphasizes Jesus as King and Messiah.

Mark shows His power and urgency. As we read, note the word immediately and how things happen.

Luke highlights His humanity and inclusiveness.

John reveals His divinity and intimacy.

These four books reveal the “Gospel” or the Good News!

The Gospel

What is the Gospel?

Before we can understand the good news, we must first understand who we are—and who Jesus is.

Jesus begins His commission in Matthew 28:18 with a declaration:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

That changes everything.

God calls us to perfection—Matthew 5:48 says, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” But we fall short. We mess up. We sin. And sin isn’t just a mistake—it’s rebellion against the One who holds all authority.

Psalm 14:2–3 says:

“The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.”

God sees our condition clearly. He created us. He sustains us. And yet, He finds no one who truly seeks after Him. We’ve turned aside. We’ve become corrupt. We lie, cheat, fight, and quarrel. Paul echoes this in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

This world is broken. It’s not how God created it nor how He intended it. And left to ourselves, we cannot fix it.

But here’s the good news: Jesus, the One with all authority, stepped into our brokenness. He didn’t just observe it—He entered it. He lived the perfect life we couldn’t. He died the death we deserved. And He rose again, victorious over sin and death.

Romans 5:8 says:

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Because of Jesus’ authority, He can offer forgiveness. Because of His authority, He can restore what’s broken. Because of His authority, He can send us out—not in shame, but in grace.

Ephesians 2:8–9 reminds us:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

This is the invitation: to turn from our rebellion and respond to the One who has all authority. Not just to admire Him—but to follow Him. To trust Him. To obey Him.

Because of Jesus’ authority, the good news isn’t just a message—it’s a summons. And it’s good. So good. And because it so good we need to understand Jesus’ authority so we are going to look at several passages tonight in the book of Mark that highlight Jesus authority.

1. Jesus’ Authority… to Teach as One with Authority

Jesus didn’t just teach about God—He taught as God. That’s why His words carried a weight the scribes couldn’t match. He wasn’t quoting someone else. He was revealing Himself.

In Mark 1:21–22, we read:

“And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”

Why the astonishment? Because Jesus wasn’t offering commentary—He was offering Himself. His authority wasn’t borrowed. It was inherent.

As He later says in John 5:39:

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.”

Jesus is the fulfillment of what Scripture points to. He is the Word made flesh. So when He teaches, He’s not just explaining truth—He is truth.

2. Jesus’ Authority… Over Unclean Spirits

Jesus’ authority isn’t just in His words—it’s in His power. In the very same moment that people are marveling at His teaching, they witness something even more astonishing.

Continuing in Mark 1:23–28:

“And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, ‘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.’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be silent, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.”

The people were stunned—not just by what Jesus said, but by what He did:

“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.’ And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.”

Jesus doesn’t just speak with authority—He acts with it. Even the spiritual realm recognizes His power. The unclean spirit knew exactly who He was: “The Holy One of God.”

3. Jesus’ Authority… to Forgive Sins

Jesus doesn’t just heal bodies—He heals souls. And that’s what makes this moment in Mark 2 so powerful.

In Mark 2:1–5, we see the scene unfold:

“And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”

That statement stopped the room. The scribes were stunned. Forgiveness? That’s God’s domain.

“Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, ‘Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’”

What a great question! Jesus knew exactly what they were thinking. And He didn’t back down.

“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…”

Jesus doesn’t just claim authority—He proves it.

4. Jesus’ Authority… to Heal

To confirm His authority to forgive, Jesus heals. Instantly. Publicly. Undeniably.

“…he said to the paralytic—‘I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.’ And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!’”

Jesus’ authority is holistic. He doesn’t just address the visible problem—He goes deeper. He forgives sin. He restores dignity. He heals what’s broken.

And the crowd’s response? Awe. Worship. Wonder.

“We never saw anything like this!”

5. Jesus’ Authority… Over the Weather

Jesus doesn’t just speak to people—He speaks to creation. And it listens.

In Mark 4:35–41, we see Jesus and His disciples caught in a storm:

“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.”

The disciples panic. Jesus sleeps. And when they wake Him, their cry is desperate:

“‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’”

Jesus responds—not with panic, but with power:

“And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

Then He turns to His disciples:

“‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’”

And they’re stunned. Not just by the calm—but by the One who caused it:

“And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’”

Jesus’ authority extends beyond teaching, healing, and forgiveness. It reaches into the natural world. He commands the storm—and it obeys.

This isn’t just power. It’s divine authority. And it invites a question that echoes through the ages:

Who then is this?

6. Jesus’ Authority… Over Death, Resurrection Power

Jesus doesn’t just calm storms or heal sickness—He confronts death itself. And death listens.

In Mark 5:21–24, we meet Jairus, a synagogue ruler, desperate for help:

“Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.’ And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.”

Jairus doesn’t ask Jesus to teach or explain—he asks Him to act. To intervene. To save.

But before they arrive, the worst news comes:

“Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

It’s over. Or so they think.

But Jesus responds with a quiet command:

“‘Do not fear, only believe.’”

He enters the house. The mourners are loud. The grief is raw. And Jesus says something that sounds absurd:

“‘The child is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him.”

But Jesus isn’t shaken. He clears the room, takes the girl’s hand, and speaks:

“‘Talitha cumi,’ which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ And immediately the girl got up and began walking.”

Jesus doesn’t just have authority over sickness or storms—He has authority over death. And when He speaks, even death must yield.

The crowd is stunned. The parents are overcome. And Jesus, ever practical, says:

“Give her something to eat.”

This is resurrection power. Tender. Personal. Undeniable.

7. Jesus’ Authority… to Call People to Himself

Jesus doesn’t just teach, heal, forgive, or calm storms—He calls. And when He calls, people respond.

In Mark 1:16–20, we see Jesus walking along the Sea of Galilee:

“Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

No résumé. No interview. No persuasion. Just a call—and an immediate response.

Then He calls two more:

“And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.”

Jesus’ authority is personal. He doesn’t just call people to a cause—He calls them to Himself. And when He does, it’s compelling. It’s disruptive. It’s life-changing.

They left their nets. Their boats. Their families. Their livelihoods. Why?

Because the One with all authority said, “Follow me.”

Summary

1. Jesus Has Great Authority

From our brief overview of Mark, we’ve seen Jesus’ authority on full display. It’s no wonder Matthew records Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:18:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Jesus has great authority. But why were these moments recorded? What are we meant to take away from this glimpse into His power?

2. Jesus claims to Be Divine

Each point of authority we studied tonight intersects with our human limitations. We can’t do these things. It’s not humanly possible. So we’re left asking: What’s so special about this man Jesus?

He taught about Himself—so He taught with authority. He cast out unclean spirits. He forgave sins. He healed the sick. He calmed the storm. He raised the dead. He called people to follow Him.

Only God can do these things. And Jesus did them—and did them well. So we’re left with a clear conclusion: Jesus is God in the flesh.

3. We Have a Response to Make

Since Jesus is the very Son of God, we have proven through his authority that He is indeed the Divine Son of God; we must decide what to do with Him.

What will you do with Him?

C.S. Lewis puts it plainly:

“You must make the choice: Either this man was and is the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

And Jesus Himself asks the question in Mark 8:29:

“But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”

That’s the question before each of us. Who do you say that He is? how will you respond?

This is the first of the Three Pillars of the Gospel:

1. Jesus is the Son of God.