012906 Epiphany 4
Epiphany 4, January 29, 2006
What is This Authority?
Text: Mark 1:21–28
Other Lessons: Psalm 1; Deuteronomy 18:15–20; 1 Corinthians 8:1–13
Theme: Jesus’ authority is shown by his teaching and his power over demons.
Goal: That hearers more fully realize the all-sufficient authority of God’s Word.
When you hear the word “authority,” what do you think of: power, clout, say-so, right, ability, influence, the last word? Webster’s Dictionary gives “The power or right to command, act, etc.” as the primary definition. As used by Mark in our text the word “authority,” exousía, primarily denotes the absolute possibility of action that is proper to God alone as the source of all power and legality. Paul uses it this way in Romans 9:21: "Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honored use and another for dishonorable use?" Used in this way, Paul is saying that God has the absolute right—because God is the Creator—to do as He wills with His creatures.
Absolute authority might have a very negative connotation in our day. I can’t help but wonder if that is because we see so much oppressive use by authoritative persons like a dictatorial boss or an abusive parent, or corrupt lawmakers. Think about it. Such people seem to wield authority only for self-benefit and personal gain. But this is nothing new. The teachers of the law in this gospel are like that. So, it appears that things don’t really change much when it comes to sinful humanity, does it?
Thank God, then, that there are good authorities who use their authority for the help and benefit of others. Good authorities work to benefit and keep a society orderly and safe. Such authorities can be found among us: Good parents, good teachers, good bosses, good politicians, and good lawyers and judges, good pastors and teachers. What makes them “good” is their use of authority to develop trust in the people under their charge. They are not interested in showing off how powerful they are. Instead, their interest is in empowering others.
Jesus exercised authority like that. Like other good authority figures, Jesus did not seek authority; it was given to him. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,” He says in (Mt 28:18). Although Jesus is God with all authority, He never tried to grab authority. No, as a human being, Jesus submitted himself fully to the will of the Heavenly Father. And the will of the Heavenly Father is for the salvation of all mankind. It is the Father, who wants people to be free from the tyranny of Satan. And that authority is realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Consider the authority He has over the demons through the simple words, “be silent” and “come out.”
I.
So, what was so special about these words? Nothing at all, accept for the one who says them, and the context in which they were spoken. The words of religious figures of the day depended heavily on others authority. High-sounding rabbinic names were often used to add authoritative weight to their religious precepts. I do that in my sermons when I say something like “Luther says,” or, “Paul says.” But that only goes to show that I have no right or authority to speak for God except as the Word of God itself, speaks. Neither did those religious teachers who disagreed with Jesus.
You see, there primary concern was the formal adherence to the duties of the Law. Here’s what I mean. From the Torah, the Law of Moses, they extracted rules and regulations for almost any situation. The thinking went like this: if you obey the laws prescribed by these Jewish religious leaders, you would in no way transgress God’s Law and precepts. These laws were supposedly a hedge around the Law of Moses and were used by these so-called experts for passing judgment on others who did not live accordingly. That sounds rather familiar to what happens in our own day, doesn’t it?
Well, the point is this: Jesus didn’t need to appeal to any other authority. He was speaking as the incarnate Word of God. So, He has the right, the authority to speak as the Creator God. His own words teach God’s perspective. He did not add to or take away anything from the Law of Moses. No, in fact, He comes to fulfill it. He is the one of whom the Lord says: “whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.”
The content of Jesus’ teaching wasn’t about endless circumstances for choosing right behavior. He does not tell the demonized man to cleanse himself. His message wasn’t “What you should do?” but rather What God is doing now in the very presence of Jesus. His teaching was that through the presence and work of the promised Messiah, God was doing a new thing, a creative thing, a restorative thing, that shakes the demonized and then bids them God’s speed with power. The sum of all this is that Jesus has the authority to do and to bring to completion everything He said. Now, that’s real authority! That’s real refreshingly good news.
II.
But this refreshing message isn’t always received with joy and “amazement,” is it? How often has the invitation been offered to us to hear His Word in worship and bible study—but didn’t? I can’t help but wonder if the rejection of these “good” things isn’t because some still see Jesus as either a Law-breaker, or a law-maker, but not the Law-fulfiller that He really is. You see, the demonic always know who Jesus is. Not wanting anything to do with Him, they work to keep you and me from the revelation His Word brings. They don’t want you and me to know His authority in our lives. They don’t want us to hear them being silenced and ordered to leave us alone. They don’t want us to know that Jesus doesn’t come to oppress us with His authority, but to free us by using His authority in our behalf. They don’t want us to know that Jesus is the Eternal Word of God in human flesh who says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10, ESV)
No, the demonic always want us to think that we must fulfill the Law. They want us to be compelled by rules and regulations that God never intended be imposed upon mankind. They want us to lose our inheritance of forgiveness and eternal life that we have in Him. And so they deceive us into believing the lies of the father of lies, the Devil. Thus, there are some people who, providing an aura of righteousness, are actually disguised destroyers of God’s people. They come with teachings that sound like Christ but in reality, they are Christless producers of a false righteousness that leads to spiritual death. But that is just what Jesus came to free people from.
How often the evil one just barges in—acting like he has all authority. Listen again to our text: “Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’” Note the words well: “What do you want with us?” It’s like saying, “What are you doing here?” or, “Can’t I just be left alone?” Obviously, the demon had quite enjoyed having the place to himself. But, no more! Freedom from the oppressor was about to speak. There is no magic show—no long incantation—just three little Greek words: Fimwqhti kai exelqe—be silent and come out!
As Luther once said, God’s powerful and efficacious Word acts as a “fumigant.” It makes the “flea,”—F-L-E-A—that is, Satan, our constant nemesis and pest, “flee.”—F-L-E-E, run fast and far. For where God’s Word is applied, Satan cannot be. Just three little words from the very mouth of God made this poor soul with an unclean spirit a new creation. And that’s all it takes for us too—three little words from the mouth of God. Let’s be diligent to listen to the last word given to mankind—Jesus. He is the Word of God that has the final authority. And He gives us His Holy Spirit that guarantees that authority is for us. Amen.