A different kind of authority

And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!"  And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. - Mark 1:21‭-‬34 ESV

Rev. Ryan Egli

Mark is a very action packed gospel. Like Die Hard, Fast and the Furious, or other action movies, things are happening to quick succession. 

3 scenes and a postscript... All pointing to the authority of Jesus. It is a different kind of authority

Teaches with authority

Jesus goes to this little town called Capernaum. It's a blue collar town. You can smell the fish, the sea and birds. It's just 20 miles from Jesus' hometown, Galilee. He's a local boy. We don't know what he taught, but we know how the locals reacted. They were astonished. Jesus taught differently from the scribes. The scribes were educated and considered the religious leaders of the town. Locals depended on the scribes to show them how to behave and think about God. Most of the local scribes taught based on the authority of other more prominent teachers. Much like how today's preacher's refer to John Piper, Tim Keller, and such... That is how most scribes taught. But Jesus did no such thing, He taught as one who knew more than these scribes and prominent teachers. He taught as one who understood the word.

Casts out demons with authority

Jesus meets a demon-possessed man. The demon recognizes Jesus. Demon speaks truth about Jesus. He is from Nazareth. He had the power to destroy demons. Jesus tells the demon to be silent and to come out of this man. The demon has no option other than to do as Jesus commands. We can be distracted by the main point. We can be demon possessed? How do we do exorcisms? How does possession happen? But the main point is that Jesus has power of a different caliber. Jesus' fame spreads through the area.

Heals with authority

Jesus meets a woman ill with a fever. The fisherman was commanded to follow Jesus earlier. They are pulled into this frenzy of activity. The reaction of the locals and the rising fame of the rabbi. So one of these disciples suggests they go to his home and rest for a bit. Maybe he forgot his mother in law was sick. He brings them over and Jesus goes to her. He lifts her by the hand and she's healed. Simon Peter's mother in law was well again and immediately begins to serve Jesus. 

Postscript and key takeaways

After Jesus has done these things, the Sabbath had ended. And because it was over, the locals grabbed their sick and brought them to Simon Peter's home. And Jesus healed them. So what are we to do with this? 

We have a Savior who has power over sickness. We have a Messiah who knows the way to life. Jesus controls even demons. The authority of Jesus should encourage and humble us. He is very God and very human. He had great power and authority, but he instead of abusing it, he used it on our behalf. 

If you know Jesus, then we are sent out. Because of Jesus' power and authority, we are sent to meet the sick, the afflicted, and downtrodden. Our homes should be like Simon Peter's house in Capernaum. They should be a place where people can meet Jesus and find healing, forgiveness, and encouragement.