The Authority of Jesus

Open your Bibles, if you’ve brought them along, to Mark chapter 1 verses 21 to 28. The title of the message today is “The Authority of Jesus”. As we read this passage in Mark’s Gospel, I want you to notice how Jesus’ authority is demonstrated. Primarily, I want you to see that Jesus demonstrated His authority by the amazing power of His word. That is essentially the theme of our text this morning. The authority of Jesus is demonstrated by the marvelous and miraculous power of His word.

Listen now to God’s Word.

Mark 1:21–23 ESV

21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. 22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. 23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,

Mark 1:24–26 ESV

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.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.

Mark 1:27–28 ESV

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

Abruptly, Mark closes the curtain on Jesus calling His first disciples alongside the Sea of Galilee and draws them open for us to see Jesus enter a large city on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee: Capernaum. This city is significant to the ministry of Christ, as Capernaum is basically made to be Jesus’ headquarters from this point on.

I believe Jesus strategically chose Capernaum for His ministry headquarters in Galilee for a myriad of reasons. 1) Capernaum was not a huge city but was relatively large compared to Nazareth, containing about 10,000 residents. 2) The population was a mix of Jews and Gentiles whose professions ranged from fishermen to farmers, craftsman to merchants, officials to tax collectors. 3) Geographically, Capernaum was a commercial hotspot as it stood at a major junction on the Via Maris, the main trade route that ran from the Mediterranean coastal plains to Damascus in the north. The city would have been an economically prosperous city during Jesus’ ministry. 4) As a result of this trade route, many Gentiles would have passed through the city to do business. 5) Additionally, there was a Roman garrison stationed in the city. From Luke chapter 7 it is evident that the relation between the Jew and Gentile population was a friendly one. We read in Luke 7:5 that a Roman centurion built the Jews a synagogue and this man is even commended by Jesus for his faith. It is this very synagogue that Mark records Jesus having entered in our text.

Synagogues, by the way, are unlike the temple in Jerusalem. The temple was mainly for animal sacrifices. That is an oversimplification, but a synagogue served a different purpose. They first appear in the Jewish communities around the time of Babylonian captivity, 586 BC. The word synagogue simply means, “gathering place”. According to rabbinic law, a synagogue could be established wherever ten or more Jewish males, 13 years of age or older, were present. In some areas, a synagogue was held in a Jewish home, much like a house church. In other areas, such as in Capernaum, the synagogue was its own building. A service held at a synagogue would also be attended by a mixed audience. There would be your quorum of male Jews, but there would also be their wives and families, and any Gentile could attend as well. There might be proselytes in attendance, Gentiles who have converted to Judaism.

Each synagogue would be ruled by one male. He was more of a curator or organizer of what would take place each gathering. He himself would never teach, but He would invite other capable men to read and teach from the Old Testament. The synagogue service had three main components to it: the prayers, the reading of Scripture, and then the teaching of Scripture. The synagogue’s primary purpose was to teach the Word of God. All other functions were secondary and supported this main purpose.

So, picture yourself in Capernaum on a Sabbath day, a Saturday, sitting in the synagogue. You’ve heard that the ruler of the synagogue has invited an up and coming preacher, Jesus of Nazareth, to attend and to teach. You’ve heard very little about this man, but what you have heard is that He is not like the typical rabbi. You’re about to experience this for yourself. The prayer time concludes and this Jesus stands up to read a passage of Scripture, after which, He begins to teach as you’ve never heard anyone teach before.

In Mark’s account, we’re going to trace the marvelous words, the miraculous work, and the mixed welcome to the authority of Jesus.

As we do so, may we be amazed by the glorious authority of Jesus that leads us to a high adoration of Him.

1. Jesus' Exposition of the Scriptures (v. 21–22)

In verses 21 and 22, Mark captures for us Jesus’ Exposition of the Scriptures. Before this point, it is worth mentioning that between verse 20 and verse 21, some time as passed. Jesus has already done some open air preaching of His own, including, it’s believed His popular “Sermon on the Mount” from Matthew chapters 5 to 7. He has also already taught in another synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth.

Luke 4:16 ESV

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.

Jesus had made it His normal practice to attend a synagogue each Sabbath. Now, what does that tell us about Jesus? It tells us He prioritized attending a Word-centered gathering. That’s what the synagogue was supposed to be centered on. The prayers, the reading of Scripture, and the teaching from Scripture. But in His hometown of Nazareth, Jesus’ teaching was poorly received. In fact, they intended to toss Him over a cliff, but He escaped and went off to Capernaum.

And not long after arriving in Capernaum, another Sabbath day came and “as was His custom” He entered the synagogue. How will this synagogue receive Him?

Mark 1:21–22 ESV

I want you to spot two things here. First, note the reaction from those in attendance. Second note the reason for their reaction.

A. Their Astonishment

Remarkably, we are not privy to the content of Jesus’ teaching. Nor do we know what Scriptures He read and taught from, like we are from His teaching in the synagogue in Nazareth in Luke 4:18-21.

But, what we are privy to is that Jesus’ teaching was unique and unexpected by those in attendance at the synagogue in Capernaum. These people reacted to His teaching with astonishment.

Mark 1:22 ESV

22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

This word “astonished” speaks of being struck in the senses. Figuratively, it means “to shock, to stun, to paralyze with panic, or to be struck in the mind causing amazement which results in one becoming overwhelmed.” Or to put it another way, Jesus’ listeners were thunderstruck. That is how the Latin translates this Greek Word and how it comes across in rough English. Thunderstruck.

This word is going to be used four more times by Mark throughout this Gospel and each time it is used as a reaction from people to something Jesus said or did.

Here in the synagogue, all the people were astonished, which conveys that everyone was having different degrees of astonishment. No doubt some there were plain confused at Jesus’ teaching, while others were amused. They’d never heard such teaching before! Some were probably conflicted as they heard Jesus teach hard truths that brought them to a crossroads where a decision had to be made in response to His words, while others may have been afraid, paralyzed with panic at His hard teaching. Then there were probably some who were convicted by what Jesus was teaching and were made aware of their own fallen condition and need, while there were still others who were appalled and aghast at Jesus’ audacious claims; “How dare this man speak like this!”.

Sadly, as you glance over this passage, many were entertained, engaged even with Jesus’ teaching, perhaps a little enraged, but we do not read of anyone changed or awakened to faith. At least Mark doesn’t mention it.

What an indictment this is against the Church in America. At this very moment there are people who are gathering in person, or online, simply to be entertained, wowed, and feel engaged in church and by a message, but they won’t ever walk away changed, much less converted. Some of the blame might need to be put on the preachers in these churches and I’ll emphasize that in a moment. But, right now, I want to put the ball in your court. What are you expecting when you gather here on a Sunday morning? Do you desire to walk away entertained? To feel like the message Don or I preached was engaging? What would happen though, if you came, not expecting to be entertained or engaged, but expecting to encounter Jesus? Don’t lose your awe for the Savior and His teaching, His Word. Don’t allow yourself to simply be amused by His Word. Allow His amazing Word to transform you as you encounter Him in His Word.

B. His Authority

Now, what’s the reason for the people’s astonishment with Jesus’ teaching? His Authority. Look at the rest of verse 22 again.

Mark 1:22 ESV

22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.

These people were thunderstruck because Jesus’ teaching was like lightning to their minds and hearts. Jesus’ teaching was strikingly different than anything they’d heard before in that synagogue. When a scribe stood up to teach, it would have been like listening to the PhDs or Doctors of Theology of their day. In reality, the typical scribe could have been easily called Dr. Dry-as-Dust because that’s essentially what their teaching was like. They would rely upon tradition and teach in the synagogue by quoting other rabbis to add authority to their words. They would often say something like, “Rabbi Eleazer says this, but on the other hand Gamaliel says that…” And they would quote such “authorities” without ever quoting a passage of Scripture. These scribes taught a second-hand theology handed down by dead experts.

But Jesus taught with personal authority as well as divine authority. How often we read in the Gospels that when Jesus began to teach He would say, “You have heard that it was said… but I say to you...”. Or consider what Jesus said elsewhere.

John 7:16–18 ESV

16 So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. 17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. 18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.

When Jesus taught, He would begin like all the Old Testament prophets did when they prefaced their messages with: “Thus saith the LORD”. And Jesus had the authority to speak like that because He is Lord!

When the scribes taught, they stressed rituals and ceremony; they taught human laws and dead religion; they professed to possess a message from God, but it was a message twisted to their own liking or watered down to tickle the ears of their listeners.

Not so with Jesus Christ. His teaching was full of power and centered on spiritual truth as found in Scripture. He taught life and His teaching brought people to life. He did not merely profess to know the message of God, He was the One who possessed the message and He preached it with passion.

The scribes teaching was dry and dead, but Jesus’ was alive and active. He exposited the Scriptures with the precision of a surgeon. His powerful words pierced the minds and hearts of those they fell upon.

Is it any wonder why so many churches gather just to be entertained and feel engaged? It’s because their pulpits are filled with men who are more concerned with captivating their audience with something shiny rather than captivating them with the authority of Jesus Christ. As the pulpit goes, so goes the church. There are churches in this nation who are like the church in Sardis in Revelation 3. They have the reputation, the appearance of being alive, but Christ says they are dead.

Oh that God would give this nation men who fill the pulpit week after week with Word-centered, Christ-exalting preaching that strikes people with the truth and gives them an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ that they would have His authoritative teaching change their lives and His church! The people must not lose their awe of Christ, which means the preacher must not be one who merely possesses the message of the gospel, but must be one who is possessed by it so that he is passionate in his preaching of it.

So, Jesus’ teaching demonstrates He has authority with the Scriptures. Christ’s marvelous preaching is proof of His authority.

2. Jesus' Expulsion of the spirit (v. 23–28)

But we have another demonstration of the amazing power of His word. Jesus’ expulsion of the unclean spirit is another proof to His authority. As the people sat astonished by Jesus’ teaching, there was one man among the crowd who became agitated and antagonistic.

Mark 1:23–24 ESV

23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 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.”

A. The Resistance (v. 23-24)

In verse 23, there is resistance to Jesus’ authoritative teaching. A man, possessed by an unclean spirit, that is a demon, cries out in blatant opposition. If this passage in Mark were an episode of a TV show, the episode might be called, “Satan in the Synagogue”!

This is a sad commentary on the state of this synagogue. On one level it reveals the state of the typical teaching that took place within those walls. It is ironic that a demon could sit under the teaching of the scribes and never be bothered by what they said. Why was this demon never disturbed by their teaching? Because there was no true authority behind what they taught and preached. They weren’t preaching the full counsel of God’s Word! Demons could hear the teaching and never be challenged or confronted with the authority of God from His Word. They could be comfortable as they listened to dry messages delivered to dying people. If demons were not challenged, I’m positive no one else was convicted of their sin or changed by what was being taught.

On another level, there was no better place for this demon-possessed man to find deliverance than the place where the Word of God was to be taught. Perhaps this man had some desire to be delivered, however suppressed that desire may have been by the demon inside him. At the very least, this man made it to the place he needed to be to find the deliverance he required. When he entered that synagogue that day he would hear the marvelous word of Christ, which would forever change and free him.

It’s a little unsettling, isn’t it, that so many can sit under the teaching and preaching in some churches and be comfortable. What they hear never challenges them, never confronts their sinful behavior, and never convicts them to change because what they hear doesn’t have the power and authority of God’s Word behind it at all.

And yet, this is the reason why the public gathering of the church is essential. The gathering of the body of Christ, when it functions as it ought, centered on the Word and under Christ’s authority, offers deliverance to those who are held captive by so many evil and wicked things. There is nothing that makes the devil tremble more than a Word-centered, Christ-exalting gathered body of believers where the power of Christ flows freely and regularly.

So, as Jesus was teaching with authority, this unclean spirit responded with resistance to His message. This provides us with a better understanding of the sort of teaching Jesus was giving that day. His teaching was exposing this demon of darkness with the light of truth. The truth of Jesus’ teaching made this demon dwelling in darkness recoil and lash out in hate. The people were astonished at His teaching, but the devil always seeks to hinder the reception of truth. Whenever the truth of God is faithfully proclaimed, we can expect the enemy to make an attempt to hinder the truth from being received. This demon was terrified of the truth.

It’s out of this terror that the demon cries out a confession. Look at verse 24 and you’ll see that there are four parts to his confession.

Mark 1:24 ESV

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.”

First, the demon challenges Jesus’ authority. “What have you to do with us?” Did you catch that he speaks in the plural? Who is the “us”? By the rest of this demon’s confession, it would be appropriate to view this demon as speaking on behalf of the entire demonic kingdom. Realistically, the demon is challenging Jesus’ authority over the demonic realm, basically asking, “What business do our kingdoms have with each other?” In one sense, none whatsoever. The two kingdoms are diametrically opposed to one another in every way. We’ll circle back to this, however in a moment. What I want you to take away here is that the demon is not pleased that Jesus is exercising His authority in the devil’s sandbox.

Second, the demon identifies Jesus’ humanity. “Jesus of Nazareth,” the demon calls Him. From this identification, the enemy confirms that Jesus was flesh and bone. He was a real person who came from a real, historical place. This identification puts many ignorant atheists to shame who would flat out deny Jesus was ever a historical person. The demons know Jesus came in the flesh.

Third, the demon fears Jesus’ sovereignty. “Have you come to destroy us?” In the original, this comes across more as an assertion than a question. “You have come to destroy us!” This demon knows the end game to God’s redemptive plan. The demonic world understood Jesus’ mission. His arrival would mean the end for them.

Matthew 25:41 ESV

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Romans 16:20 ESV

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

1 Corinthians 15:24–26 ESV

24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

1 John 3:8 ESV

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

In sum, Jesus reigns and Satan is ruined. Heaven wins and hell loses. The demon trembles at the sovereignty of Jesus Christ.

Mark 1:24 ESV

“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.”

Then fourth, the demon affirms Jesus’ deity. “I know who you are— the Holy One of God”. Don’t miss the contrast Mark is making here. This demon is an unclean spirit, but Jesus is clean, pure, and holy. According to the Bible, there is only One who is truly holy, unstained and set apart from any and all sin: God. Again, this demon puts any practicing atheist or agnostic to shame with his theology.

Psalm 14:1 ESV

1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

Romans 1:18–19 ESV

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

James 2:19 ESV

19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

This unholy demon cannot stand being in the presence of the holy God. He wants Jesus to leave him alone and let him do his own thing. The atheist wants the same thing so that they can live as they see fit. The agnostic won’t commit to any god, let alone the true God because they too would have to submit to God’s rule. Yet, if only they knew what this demon knew; that this Jesus has the power to save from the wrath to come and to totally free any from the grip of sin, Satan, and destruction. There’s no reason to suppress the truth that there is a God, because by doing so you only heap up wrath for yourself. But there is mercy and compassion to be found in Jesus Christ, which we see next in verse 25.

Mark 1:25 ESV

25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”

B. His Rebuke (v. 25-26)

Here we have the miraculous power of Jesus’ word in His rebuke to this demon. The demon challenged Jesus, “What business is ours to you?” Jesus’ rebuke clarifies what His business is. 1) His business is to destroy the demonic and 2) His business is to deliver those held captive in the kingdom of darkness.

Jesus will not allow this demon to continue to disrupt His teaching of the truth. Nor will Jesus allow this demon to have authority over this man any longer. So, He speaks a direct command to the demon. Literally, Jesus’ rebuke would read, “Shut up and get out!” He utters no intricate spell or mystical incantation; just a simple, yet strong and sovereign word.

What happened next would shock everyone in attendance.

Mark 1:26 ESV

26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.

In so little words, Jesus demonstrated that He has absolute sovereign authority over all things. In a word, Jesus destroyed the demon’s work in this man, which is a precursor to the word He will cry out on the cross that would declare the devil’s defeat. This demon had no choice but to submit and obey the authoritative demand of the Lord of lords.

The authority of Jesus’ word to the demon offers us all hope and assurance this morning. Each of us are given hope that there is One who has all authority in heaven and on earth, and even under the earth. At His command the enemy and evil must flee. Also, we are all assured that there is nothing we will ever face that Jesus cannot control because He is the One who is in control.

Perhaps you are not a Christian. You haven’t turned from sin and turned completely to Jesus Christ alone in saving faith. You find yourself caught in destructive habits or sliding down the slippery slope of sin in ways you never thought possible. Or, maybe you’re so held captive by sin, self, and Satan that you don’t realize the trouble you’re really in. You’re comfortable with who you are and what you’re doing. All I can tell you is that you’ve come to the right place today to hear the authoritative Word of God.

Hebrews 4:12–13 ESV

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

It is my prayer this day that the Word of God would break your heart so that you are held captive by the Living Word, Jesus Christ. Only Jesus Christ has the power to release you from bondage to sin and only He can lift the burden you are carrying and adding to with every sin you commit.

Like this demon-possessed man, all of us are unable to deliver ourselves from our enslavement to a life headed for destruction. But Jesus Christ, the Sovereign Lord over all, is the way, the truth, and the life. Only He delivers from every power of sin, from the prince of the power of the air, Satan, among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like all mankind. But Christ is compassionately merciful. In love, He sovereignly frees us by His authority; through His perfect righteousness, pure sacrifice, and powerful resurrection He rescues us, redeems us, revives us, and reconciles us to a right standing with the holy God.

Fellow Christian, we can also rest assured that no power of hell can pluck us from our Lord’s strong hand. The devil can scheme against us and send demons to oppress us, but the indwelling Spirit prohibits any demon from possessing us. Rest easy tonight and lay your head upon the soft pillow of Christ’s sovereignty knowing you are safe and secure.

C. His Renown (v. 27-28)

Finally, let’s quickly consider the last two verses to see the result of seeing Christ’s supreme and sovereign authority. The news of this miracle will spread like wildfire throughout Galilee. In these verses, we will close by seeing His renown.

Mark 1:27–28 ESV

Just as the people were thunderstruck by Jesus’ authoritative teaching and handling of the Word of God, so now they are shocked by what His word has accomplished for this man who had an unclean spirit, but is now free. The people, I think, are well-aware that this Jesus was no ordinary man.

Even though they’d seen plain evidence of His undeniable, glorious authority, they remain unaware, or maybe unconvinced of His true identity. They questioned among themselves, some confounded by what they just witnessed, others debating over what it all meant.

It appears that at this point, Mark would have the reader understand that the jury was still out on who this Jesus of Nazareth truly was to that synagogue audience. However, our passage concludes with an encouraging scene. The report about Jesus spreads everywhere. For now, Jesus would be considered a local celebrity of sorts.

But, as we already know, this fame would only be temporary. People were excited and amazed at Jesus’ ability to deliver, what He could do for them in the here and now. Yet, that is not why Jesus came. Yes, Jesus came to serve and to deliver, but that isn’t all. Ultimately, Jesus Christ came to die. The cross is the supreme display of His service and deliverance. True deliverance requires the cross of Christ. The death of sin comes through the death of Jesus Christ. If there is no cross, there is no cure for the demonic, no cure for our dead, sinful souls.

It is because of the cross and the death of Christ, as well as His resurrection from the dead, that there is any hope in this world for us. Today, we can still encounter the Lord’s presence and powerful authority. Many of us have experienced deliverance from sin by Jesus’ gracious power. Even today He still speaks with authority through His Word, inspired and illuminated by His Spirit.

Those in that synagogue in Capernaum stood amazed in the presence of such authority. And at the same time, they were moved and determined to make Jesus and His authority known throughout the land. May we have the same determination. Yes, let us be amazed at His glorious authority. But let us not keep silent or still. If there are needs in your life that must be addressed, attended to, alleviated, or sins that must be absolved then come to the One who has all power and authority. Let us also go out into our community, a community that is lost and dying, and tell them about the Lord’s marvelous words and miraculous works. And most of all, let us sing in adoration of our loving, gracious, and awesome King.

Prayer

Sovereign Lord,

We are amazed by You and by Your authority.

By Your word, You created the heavens and all their hosts

The world and all who dwell therein.

And it is by the power of Your word that you cause us to be reborn.

You give life.

You give hope.

You give deliverance.

Enable us

Equip us

And embolden us to proclaim Your authority to this perishing world.

And may we do this for the sake of Your glory, not ours.

We pray this in Your most Holy and Awesome name.

AMEN.

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