Some people like to boast and brag about what they would do if they were in a position of authority. “If I were in charge I would fix this problem; I would clean out the corruption in that department; I would make sure that the trains run on time!” Yet, the same people who talk like this are often ineffective and incompetent in the areas where they do have some authority. In areas where they have no personal responsibility they can tell others what they ought to do, yet are paralyzed by doubt and indecision in their own lives.
It is the same way in spiritual things. People who have no responsibility for the consequences of decisions are quick to voice their opinions about how the church should be run. Some who will not use their talents to benefit others are quick to criticize those who do. Others want the honor and recognition of being leaders, yet shun the responsibility that falls on leaders. However, the Apostle Paul reminds us that, “…the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV)
One of the things people noticed about Jesus is that He spoke differently than other religious teachers. Not only did Jesus speak with authority, He also demonstrated that He had the right to say the things He did.
In chapter 1, verses 21 through 34 of his inspired account of Jesus’ ministry Mark writes, “They [that is, Jesus and His disciples] went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes. Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, saying, “Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!” Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!” The report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area. Immediately, when they had come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. He came and took her by the hand and raised her up. The fever left her immediately, and she served them. At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by demons. All the city was gathered together at the door. He healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. He didn’t allow the demons to speak, because they knew him.”
Mark writes that people were amazed at Jesus’ teaching. Unlike the scribes (or as other translations say, ‘teachers of the law’), Jesus spoke as one having authority. Who were these “teachers of the law”? Through the prophet, Moses, God entered into a covenant relationship with the Jewish people. The Covenant granted the people blessings and privileges. It also bound them to follow certain regulations and rituals. These blessings, privileges, regulations and rituals are all described in what we call the Law of Moses. The teachers of the law interpreted the Law of Moses and told the people how to live according to the Law. To justify what they told the people they depended on what other scholars said. “Rabbi so-and-so says this.” From other passages of Scripture we know that Jesus did not depend upon the interpretations of other men. Instead, He would say, “You have heard that is was said… But I tell you…” (See Matthew, chapter 5.)
No doubt the people were not only amazed at how Jesus taught, but also by what He taught. In verse 27 Mark writes that the people recognized that Jesus’ teaching was new. They had not experienced anything like it before. What made Jesus’ teaching new? The Law emphasized external behavior. For example, it prohibited murder and adultery. Jesus taught that in order to please God it is not enough to merely refrain from murder and adultery. We must also refrain from the internal thoughts and attitudes which result in murder and adultery – that is, hate and lust.
The other thing which made Jesus’ teaching new is that He demonstrated by His use of power His authority to teach. Earlier Satan had tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Now, a man who was under the control of an unclean spirit confronted Jesus in public, in a place of worship. The spirit, speaking on behalf of itself and others, inquired about Jesus’ intentions and whether Jesus had come to destroy them. The spirit not only knew who Jesus was, that is, the Holy One of God, but also that Jesus had the power to destroy. From this we learn an important lesson. Jesus’ teaching has the power to destroy the work of Satan. In fact, this was the purpose of Jesus’ ministry. The Apostle John writes, “…The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” (1 John 3:8 NIV) If we are being oppressed by evil spirits, if we are under the influence of the devil, if Satan is at work in our lives, it means that we are not obeying Jesus’ teaching as we should.
Jesus commanded the spirit to be quiet and cast it out of the man. The people were amazed when the evil spirit obeyed.
Jesus not only had power over unclean spirits, He had the ability to heal illnesses. When Jesus left the place of worship He went to the house of Simon and Andrew. There He healed Simon’s mother-in-law. Later that evening the whole town brought their sick to Jesus. He healed them all and drove out many demons.
Mark writes that Jesus would not allow the demons to speak because they knew who He was. Jesus was from God; He did not need and would not accept the endorsement or attestation of who He was from the Devil. However, this raises a question. If even the demons know and confess that Jesus is the Holy One of God, shouldn’t we also confess that He is? If we deny that Jesus is God’s Holy One, doesn’t that make us even worse than the demons?