Crumbs 81

 

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 81

Authority

Scripture Mark 1: 21-28 New International Version 21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “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!” 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 27 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.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Crumbs As far as I can discover# synagogues had a strong educational role in Jewish life and Jesus as a visiting Rabbi took part in this. He choose to intervene when the prophets were due to be read. But His teaching was different. Rabbinic teaching was full of references to other commentators but Jesus stated things from Himself. That shook people .

The authority the Lord had because of who He was, is then shown by a miracle. 21^st century science may have an explanation for the condition of this poor man and his healing. 21^st science is not complete and subject to future change. Jesus and the Gospel writers worked within a belief system that included the existence of evil spirits. Does one belief system cancel the other out ? I think not. A naturalistic explanation should not oust a supernatural one . We have equations that explain how one electron escorts one proton to form the smallest atom but without the word of God the whole lot would fall apart.

Evil must yield to goodness. The theme of the victory of goodness over evil is a biblical one. The evil spirits call Jesus “the Holy One of God.” This tells us two things about our Lord confirmed by the rest of the Gospel accounts. Jesus is of God and is set apart for God’s will, ( Such is holiness) He is both our example and our enabler.

# William Barclay The Daily Study Bible ;the Gospel of Mark 1975

Questions .1. What does this passage teach us about Jesus ? 2. What authority may preachers call on today? 3. What hope is in this passage ?