Teaching With Authority

 Mark 1: 21-28

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

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.

If we were in the "classroom" of Jesus, hearing him with hundreds of other "students", wouldn't we too be amazed at his teaching...the Carpenter's Son!   Where did he get such knowledge, such authority?  It was because of his sureness, his conviction, his directness, his simple and maybe even frightening honesty, that he won over these eager "pupils." And when challenged by the unclean spirit, he again exercised his authority and drove the demon out.  What a way to underscore his teachings! He was fearless. He was right. No doubts, if's, and's or but's about him.

Our "watered down" world has strayed from authority and balks at being told what to do, let alone what to believe.  And look where that attitude has put us! We might long for the return of Jesus to set things straight again,  but from what he said, he won't be back until the end of time.  It's up to us to take up his words and put them into practice.If each of us did that, what "a wonderful world" this would be! With his authority behind us, let's begin NOW!  JUST DO IT!!!

Bro. Rene