The Amazing Authority of Jesus: Mark 1:21-28

Introduction

Having authority is desired by most, but being under authority is shunned by most. Someone with authority is at first admired, but eventually

Having authority is desired by most, but being under authority is despised by most. Those who claim and have authority sometimes become famous. However, admiration can quickly become jealousy and hate. Jesus, as we have already seen, is a man with authority. He is God the Son incarnate and the descendent of King David. John knew Jesus was superior to him. Satan learned he couldn’t best Him. The disciples knew he was worth enough to leave everything behind and follow Him. His preaching was authoritative. He pointed to himself as the bringer of God’s Kingdom and salvation. He demanded a response from all who heard him. This week God through Mark calls us to reckon with the authority of our Lord Jesus in three ways.

Body

Right off the bat in our text, we learn Jesus has authority to teach crowds: 21-22

Sometime after calling his early disciples, Jesus began a ministry Capernaum. This was a town important in commerce, travel, and politics. On the Sabbath, following their arrival, Jesus entered the synagogue and was teaching. The synagogue was place where Jews met for instruction form the Old Testament. Jesus’ both in content and quality astonished his hearers. Why was this? Look at verse 22, for in it we find a clue, “for he taught as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” Scribes were respected. They taught as those under authority, both of the Scriptures themselves and other teachers who proceeded them. Jesus, however, had the authority of the Son of God in the flesh, who had been anointed by the Holy Spirt and declared by the Father to be pleasing to Him. His preaching was deep, passionate, authoritative, and accompanied by a super natural power. The scribes had the Old Testament as their subject. Jesus proclaimed that He is the subject of the Old Testament.

We might liken the difference between the teaching of Jesus and Scribes to the difference between a premium cut of steak to a McDonald’s chicken nugget. One is the real deal and the other is a fake.

My application of this portion of our text is listen to Jesus, not merely with astonishment, but with faith. Believe what He says and believe that it will change you, your life, and eternity. Jesus still speaks. He speaks through His written Word and those who preach and teach in accord with it. The Word of God proclaimed on the Lord’s day is an ordinary means of grace, meaning it is an ordinary channel that God promises to work through for the benefit of His people who receive it by faith. Its benefits include the production and strengthening of faith, the mortifying of sin, encouragement for life in a fallen world, and the adjusting of our gaze from the here and now to Christ and the eternal inheritance we have in Him. Thus, my application is listen to Jesus. Believe the words that are declared to you this morning that come from the Spirit breathed Words of the Holy Bible. Yes, Jesus is amazing and the Bible are his words to us. indeed, the Bible is a fascinating work of literature. However, Jesus doesn’t need our flattery or our approval. No, we need Him, His grace, His salvation, His strength, His righteousness, and His resurrection. So if you aren’t listening up during sermons with faith in Christ and His power to change you through His Word, then listen up. Though I am but mere man, the words I declare to you come are from the very mind of God. Which he has given, that you may know Him and believe in His Son for salvation to the praise of His glory. Listen to Jesus, authoritative teacher of crowds.

Not only does Jesus have authority to teach crowds, Jesus, also, has authority to dominate demons: 23-26

There is sudden shift from Jesus’ teaching and the crowds amazement to a demon possessed man, who was also in the synagogue. The demon is called an unclean spirit because according to Jewish Law, whatever is unclean is symbolic of unholiness and contrary to God. Demon possession is not mere illness, though it is often accompanied by it. Thus, not every illness is a sign of demon possession. Demon possession is where another party, a demon or demons, exercises control over the person possessed. The demon seeking to undermine the teaching and ministry of Jesus and in fear of Him, came to him, questioned Him, and identified Him accurately. Look at what the the man said in verse 24, “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.” The demon knew the answer to his questions. We know this by his declaration of who Jesus is. The Holy One of God, God the Son, the true Israel, and Messiah King, came to destroy the devil, his works, and his demonic cohorts. People may be afraid of the power of the devil and demons, indeed demonic possession is scary stuff. But in the presence of the the stronger man, the true king with real unending power, they cower like a dog before the raised hand of its master. Jesus silenced the demon and demanded him to come out of the man. The demon was forced by Jesus’ powerful word, and came out violently. Luke tells us in his gospel that the man was not hurt in the affair. Jesus recuses captives and dominates their captors. The devil and his guild are put on notice, new leadership is has arrived.

What does Jesus having authority to dominate spirits like the one from our text have to do with you and I? Well at the very least it calls us to come and rest in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the strongest. No one can overcome Him or those under his protection. Demons, governments, and individuals may have power to kill the body, but they cannot effect a persons eternity. Only God has that authority. Jesus is the way to eternal life and communion with God through he justification he secured for His people in His life, death, burial, and resurrection. He will complete what He began in the first coming when He returns for the final judgement of the wicked and the eternal salvation of those He has made just. In Jesus, there is not only rest from temporary difficulty, but rest from doubts and fears that come when we ponder death and what follows. He, who makes the demons quiver and overcame death, is able and willing to save you from your sins and share his eternal inheritance of a new perfect earth with you. Again, Jesus doesn’t need flattery, nor does he need your recognition that he is who He said He is. No, you need Him. Come to Him weary, needy, and sinful people. Come to Him tired and discouraged christian. Come to Him ashamed and scared unbelieving sinner. He will give you rest, hope in the present and eternal life in the future. Rest in Jesus, the teacher of crowds and dominator of demons.

Jesus’ authority to teach crowds and dominate demons resulted in amazement and fame and from that fame we learn that Jesus has authority to amaze everybody: 27-28

All those who were present were amazed by the teaching of Jesus and his domination of the demon. Their amazement lead them to discuss this Jesus and his teaching amongst themselves. Look at verse 27, “And 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.’” The authority of Christ in his teaching was confirmed in this encounter with the demon possessed man. They were wrestling together with the significance of this. Who was this man who commands demons and they obey? Apparently their discussions didn’t stop at the door of the synagogue for look at at verse 28, “And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the region of Galilee.”

People have no trouble discussing what amazes them. Chief fans have no trouble talking about the recent Superbowl win, their MVP Quarter back, and the stress that the team put on them for waiting until the end for a comeback win. I imagine the people who witnessed what Jesus taught and did that day in the synagogue, similarly had no trouble talking about it to those they encountered. It was the talk not only of the town of Capernaum or the region of Galilee, but of even the neighboring regions.

Jesus delivered a man from a demon and he taught with authority. We know and will see in our study of the book of Mark He did many other deeds that confirmed He is who He said He is, namely the Son of God and the promised Messiah who redeems captives from Kingdom of Darkness into His eternal and heavenly Kingdom. The demon possessed man is just one instance of Jesus redemptive power. Jesus still saves the lost and the captive. If you have come to know Him as I have, you know what I am talking about. You were dead and now you are alive. You were asleep and now you are awake. What a great and amazing redeemer we have. If it is common to talk about what is important or amazes you, then shouldn’t Jesus be prevalent subject in the many conversations we have.

So, go and tell everyone about the one who has rescued you from your sins and given you eternal life. Tell people about the one who continues to encourage and change you through His Word, prayer, and the ordinances of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism. Tell people about the one who can save them and change their life. Tell them of the redeemer who is worthy of their attention, faith, and obedience. Jesus deserves more than a couple hours on Sunday in our conversations. He should hold a regular place in them with our kids, grandkids, work, and sports teams. In fact, He should be guiding principle for how we understand all those things. I’ve heard people say they don’t know what to say about Jesus or how to talk about Him? Those same people can name every player on their favorite sports team, there stats, and even where they went to college. I believe their mental energy would be better spent meditating upon the Redeemer. If you don’t know how to talk about Jesus take time to learn about Him. Listen with faith to the sermons and gather unless providentially hindered. Ask your pastor questions or other mature believers to help you. And just begin talking about Him, who saved you with all, both believers and unbelievers. Jesus is amazing, but He is worthy of more than our approval and amazement. He is worthy of our trust and obedience. Talk about Jesus, the authoritative teacher of crowds, dominator of demons, and the one who amazes everybody.

Conclusion

Listen

Rest

Declare

Jesus has authority, so listen to Him, rest in Him, and talk about Him. We have seen his authority in his teaching to crowds, dominating of demons, and amazing of everybody. How will you respond to the authority of Jesus?

If you have professed faith in Jesus, then celebrate and submit to the authority of your Lord. He has authority to tell you what to do. He has authority to save you from final judgement.

Vista Baptist Church, we live under the authority of the Lord Jesus. He has the right to tell us what to do as a church and His priorities must be our priorities. Where do we find His priorities? The Scriptures that have been inspired by His Spirit, of course. Therefore, let us be a congregation that regulates doctrine and practice by the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.

Unbeliever, how will you respond to Jesus? It is not enough to be amazed by Him. Many in the crowds marveled at His authority, also called for His crucifixion. Jesus demands that you believe in Him, repent of your sins, and follow Him. Yes, this is only done by God’s grace. Yet, all are encouraged to come to Christ for forgiveness and eternal life. So, come to Him and trust in Him, who was born of the virgin in David’s line, who lived in perfect obedience to God’s Law, who died voluntarily for the sins of His people, who rose victoriously, demonstrating God’s justice had been satisfied, who ascended to the right hand of God where He reigns over the hearts and minds of His people and makes intercession for them, and who will return to make all things new, rescue His people from final judgement, and judge His enemies.

Let us all come to Jesus, who has authority to judge and save, to discipline and encourage, and to test and to give rest. Let us not reject His authority, but submit to it with joy because we know the authority of the one who gave His life as ransom is not burdensome, but beneficial. May we not continue with the crowds that yelled crucify Him. May we not continue with the demons that foolishly shake our fist at his authority, yet do His bidding. May we instead trust and obey Him who rescues the lost and redeems the sinner