Mark 1:21- 28: "They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure 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!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee."
Jesus takes over the spiritual conversation (v. 21-22).
The first act of authority Jesus displayed was to walk into the synagogue and to begin to teach. In doing so, he was challenging the Rabbis of the day as to their understanding and insight into the teachings of Moses. The scriptures do not tell us what passage He read from, nor what He taught concerning the passage, but I am sure that His teachings went something like this: "What I just read, was talking about me, what you just heard, was speaking about me, what you must do now, is decide what you are going to do about me." Sounds kind of self centered doesn't it? Well, when you are the King of the Universe, and rightfully so, that interpretation should be the truth. I am sure this bothered the Rabbis, especially when they were accustomed to nobody speaking with authority, for they all quoted other Rabbis who said other things. They were usually Rabbis who were dead, but often quoted as a way for a younger Rabbi to establish his authority on the basis of some other ones fame. This was the tradition and habit of the Rabbis, and still is to this day. Jesus quoted no one but God by reciting the scripture which He established as the very Words of God. Jesus did not need the fame of former religious men to establish His authority. He took it for himself. But Jesus doesn't stop there, by taking over the synagogue, taking over the Bible study and taking over the teaching, He takes over what even the other Rabbis could not take over, the spiritual realm of unclean spirits.
Jesus takes over the spiritual confusion (vs. 23-25).
I suspect that people with impure spirits were everywhere in Jesus day. They would disrupt public gatherings, family meetings, and even sabbath day services. What do you do with these pesky people who allow themselves to be used as an instrument of Satan. This person was not just having a bad day, they were having a bad life. In the first part of the evil spirits statement, he tried to rouse the synagogue against Jesus. In the second part of the statement, he claims that he knew who Jesus was, the "Holy One of God". While the statement was true, Jesus did not want His identity to be associated with evil, nor is identity to be forced upon people. Jesus always wanted the truth proclaimed, with individual people making the right choice about his identity on their own. As Jesus took command of the situation, the evil spirit was exposed for what it truly was, a possessive, divisive spirit which controlled people and situations. The way Jesus dismissed the spirit was powerful like a tornado tossing a house several miles away. While the crowd was aware of evil spirits, they were not aware of the ability to flick them away so quickly. Jesus displayed His power physically, intellectually and spiritually. What more could you want in a Savior?
Jesus takes over the spiritual headlines.
I love the conclusion that the people in the synagogue reach: "“What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him. News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee."
Do you realize on this day that there is no authority on earth other Jesus? At the end of the Gospel of Mark we read that all authority on heaven and earth was given to Jesus after the resurrection. We do not need to follow stories, fables, sound bites, pithy little poems, the opinions of others but rather the teachings of Christ as given to us in the New Testament.
In what area of weakness are crying out to God for? Could it be areas in your family, thought life or present day struggles. Following Christ and His teachings, holding to His promises and declaring victory today restores order, peace, forgiveness and restoration to our heavenly Father.
Follow the Savior in His steps today!
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