Mark 1:21-28
“What’s this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands unclean spirits and they obey him!” This is what those who witnessed Jesus teaching with authority and driving out unclean spirits had to say about their experience. Our reading this week should point you to one of the greatest revelations that people discovered early in Jesus’ ministry, Jesus did everything with authority.
I had a conversation with someone recently about authority and how someone gains authority. We debated for a bit whether it was something someone gave you or something that you take. In the case of Jesus, I think it is both. God gives Jesus authority, yet Jesus takes that authority and teaches people something new. Jesus establishes his authority over evil in the temptation story (Mark 1:12-130), the disciples respond to Jesus’ authority in their calling (Mark 1:16-20), and now Jesus demonstrates his authority to the unclean spirits. They acknowledge his authority by calling him the “Holy One of God” and ultimately retreating. The swift reaction of the evil spirits and their acknowledging of his status prove his authority.
When I became an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church I was told that I have been granted authority to lead a congregation, but that I also need to take that authority. Being granted authority means that I have been confirmed to have the graces, gifts, and tools I need to lead, but taking that authority is about being confident in my use of them. What authority have you been given in life? What authority do you need to take?
In God’s grip,
Pastor Chuck Church
If you are reading the Gospel of Mark with Pastor Chuck this year, below is a short and simple guide to doing so for this week:
Prayer: Heavenly Father, your words expose my innermost thoughts and desires. I am an open book before you when I read your book. May your truths work as I read of your holiness, truth, and love. May the power of your word be known in my life so that I might genuinely have the abundant life you came to give. Amen.
Read: Mark 1:21-28
Questions to guide your thinking:
Mark throughout his gospel consistently sets up religious leaders as opponents of Christ who question his authority. How does Mark telling stories of Jesus demonstrating his authority over evil forces prepare us for what we will read about the opposition Jesus will face from religious leaders?
The opening scene of Mark 1 places more emphasis on the power of Jesus’ word than on explaining the content of his message. We don’t learn about what Jesus is teaching only that he did so with authority, why do you think that is?
What do you think people were more amazed by, the new teaching or the authority by which he taught? Why?
