Jesus Reveals His Power
Notes
Transcript
Jesus Reveals His Power
Jesus Reveals His Power
Jesus taught with authority and performed miracles to reveal that He is the Son of God.
Today we will examine how Jesus revealed His power throughout His earthly ministry.
As we do so, we will see how the ways in which Jesus taught and performed miracles with authority displayed His identity as the son of God, the One who has the power to proclaim and provide salvation. Because we have experienced the power of Jesus to save us from sin, we tell others about salvation through Christ with compassion for them today and concern for them for eternity.
JESUS REVEALS HIS POWER (Mark 1:21-28)
They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach.
“They” - Peter, Andrew, James and John with Jesus
Capernaum was located on the North side of the sea of Galilee.
-This was were Jesus’ headquarters was while he was in Galilee. It is about 31 miles NE from Nazareth. Jesus was “at his home” in Capernaum
When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home.
-Peter also lived in Capernaum (Mark 1:29) and Levi (Matthew) was believed have lived there (Mark 2:14-17).
-During the time of Christ it had a population of about 1500 and was a fishing town.
-Jesus later curses Capernaum (Matthew 11:23-24) for there lack of faith.
They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Notice it was his teaching that came across as having authority. Not the miracles
What made Jesus’ teaching more authoritative then the scribes?
The anointing. Jesus was full of the Spirit after being water baptized. He had just completed his 40 days of temptation (Mark 1:9-13).
“Authority” GK exousia; (ex-oo-see’-ah) power to act, charge, control, domain
The scribes were expected to have authority but were amazed how different Jesus’ authority was.
The scribes were more like politicians. They carefully crafted there word to explain the Scriptures by quoting others to explain them. Politicians do the same to get the peoples vote and convince the people they are the right person for the job. Jesus, on the other hand, revealed His inherent authority and power through His words.
Jesus is not merely and authority to dispense advice — He calls people to follow Him as King!
Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
Unclean - impure, lewd, foul.
I believe that people who live a life of impurity, lewdness, and foul in language and actions are either demon possessed or heavily influenced by demons. It is not the characteristic of a born again, sanctified, Christian.
The new testament consistently uses the word ‘spirits’ to describe demons but alway with the adjectives ‘unclean’ or ‘evil’, reflecting their nature.
NOTE: Isn’t it strange that a demon possessed man was comfortable in the synagogue?
Do you think a demon possessed man or woman would be comfortable in the church today? Why or Why not?
Why did Jesus want the demons not to acknowledge who Jesus was?
-The demons could not be believed
Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him.
They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.
Jesus also revealed his power through His miracles, such as casting a demon out of a man. His power supersedes that of demons and every other creature. The typical technique for exorcisms in Jesus’ day was to urge the demon out of someone by referring to the power of on or multiple gods while using magical words and rituals (Holman bible dictionary) Jesus, however, commanded the demon out of the man without reference to anyone else’s power because He is the Son of God, the Holy One of God, the One with all power!
News spread about Jesus because he spoke as one with authority and that authority was also manifested through the casting out of a demon.
Mark 1: 29-34 speaks of Jesus healing Peter’s Mother-in-Law fro a fever, and more people from the surrounding area who were demon possessed, and ill with various diseases
Jesus has also given us this authority
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
And these signs shall follow...
“These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
2. JESUS PROCLAIMS HIS PURPOSE (Mark 1:35-38)
In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.
Simon and his companions searched for Him;
they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.”
Four verbs (got up, left, went, prayed) emphasize Jesus’ resolve to have fellowhsip with the Father.
We all know the importance of prayer but do we put it into practice?
-The early morning would have been a time of least distraction.
-He went to a secluded place
-He was alone
-His disciples were surprised he was gone! Apparently it was not a part of the disciples custom at that time.
Jesus tells us to pray in like manner
“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
It is worth noting that Jesus seemed to view retreating alone to be with the Father in prayer as essential. Jesus may have been tempted to enjoy His fame and continue to perform miracles for the crowds, but Jesus desired unity with the Father even more, so He prayed and obeyed. Although it was not easy to leave behind the popularity and face the coming suffering of the cross, Jesus came to us from God for just this , and so in this purpose He remained.
Jesus then proclaims to his disciples His purpose. After he met with God he had clarity and direction.
Jesus didn’t get caught up in worldly passions and pleasure, in temptations to fame and the idolatry of works. He kept his heart, soul, mind and strength fixed on His Father and his heavenly purpose. By communing with God through prayer, Jesus stayed focused on the mission set before him.
Peter and the others only see the needs and therefore did not understand why Jesus went away to pray.
It would be wise to follow Jesus’ pattern: Solitude in prayer before following your calling or purpose. Be more concerned about the Father’s direction (trusting in Him) rather than worrying about the needs of others.
3. JESUS DISPLAYS HIS COMPASSION (Mark 1:39-42)
And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.
And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
Notice the importance of preaching
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(KJV is Preaching of the cross)
Fourteen times (KJV) the Bible says Jesus had compassion for people, five times it says he was “moved” with compassion.
Leprosy is a type or picture of sin in the Bible. Leviticus 13-14 speaks of the cleaning of the leper which involved, many different procedures
The leper was regarded
(1) as one dead (see on Lev 13:45 f.)
(2) as unclean,
(3) as smitten of God:
Hence the ceremonial indicated
(1) restoration to life,
(2) removal of uncleanness,
(3) readmission to God’s presence. (Cambridge Commentary on Lev 14)
Notice the leper asked if he could be made clean. Only Jesus can cleanse from sin
It was unlawful to touch a leper. (Lev 13:45) But Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old testament law. (Matt 5:17)
Yet Jesus reached out to touch the leper. This likely would have been revolting, unsettling, and made any person ceremonially unclean but Jesus valued this compassionate action over the perceptions of the people. He was unafraid and unashamed to enter into this man’s uncleanness to bring him out of it. This is true compassion.
Notice also the comparison between the “unclean” spirit in 1:23 and the “unclean” leper in 1:40. Jesus had compassion on both men and he had power to heal both men.
-the demon possessed man did not ask to be delivered, yet Jesus delivered him
-the leper man asked if Jesus was willing and he healed him.
Why did Jesus deliver the demon possessed man without him asking?
Because the man had no control over his mind to ask for he was possessed.
Jesus cares about out suffering. He is the only one who has the power and compassion to do something about it.
We are also to show compassion
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Summary
JESUS REVEALS HIS POWER
-He can heal all diseases, overcome all demons, and deliver from all sin
JESUS PROCLAIMS HIS PURPOSE
-He came to save the world
JESUS DISPLAYS HIS COMPASSION
-He is moved with compassion for mankind
We have been given authority to heal
We are to preach the gospel to the world
We are to be compassionate like Christ