Mark 1:21-28

Mark 1:21-22 – 21They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

Jesus and the first disciples went to Capernaum, a bigger city, and on the Sabbath, when everyone gathered together in the temple, he went there to teach them. This was very unusual, because typically only the teachers of the law would teach the people in the synagogue. The people were amazed, because they were used to listening to their teachers, who simply gave their opinions on the law. Jesus did not give opinions, but simply taught what scripture said. This is a great lesson for us. We should teach what Scripture says. Scripture has authority. Our opinions do not have authority. Scripture has the power to change lives. Our opinions are not going to change anyone’s life. The teachers of the law would argue and speculate about the law, and others’ interpretations of the law, but they had no authority. Jesus, the one who had authority, taught the people from the scriptures, and they were amazed. He was so different from everything they were used to seeing and hearing.

Mark 1:23-26 – 23Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil 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!” 26The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

Here is another great example of Christ’s authority. A demon recognizes him and asks, “What do you want with us? Have you come to destroy us?” He knows who Jesus is. He is aware of his power and authority. He asks Jesus if he has come to destroy them (the demons), knowing full well that Jesus has the power and authority to do so. All of creation is God’s, however, Satan tries to claim it for himself. Jesus came to reclaim what was already his. The demons know this. Jesus commands the demon, and the demon obeys the authority of Jesus. The demon recognizes Jesus as the Holy One of God. Jesus tells him to be quiet and he is silenced. Jesus did not want the demon to say who he was. That was not the time for his identity to be revealed. He commands the demon to come out of the man, and the demon once again obeys his authority. Jesus reclaimed the man, who had been possessed by the demon. I love the picture here of Jesus commanding the demon, and retaking this man.

The question that the demon asked Christ, “What do you want with us? Have you come to destroy us?” is a very interesting question. It is even more interesting that this demon was in the temple. The teachers of the law and those practicing in the temple were using the name of God, but were not teaching the people to follow God. I wonder if the demon was really asking, “Did Christ come to destroy the religion of the teachers?”

Mark 1:27-28 – 27The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” 28News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

The people are amazed by Jesus’ teaching and by his authority. He is teaching them in a manner different from the teachers of the law, and demonstrating authority not only in his teaching, but also by commanding a demon. How sad of an indictment against the temple that Jesus’ teaching was so different from what they were accustomed to hearing there?

With Jesus bursting onto the scene with such powerful teaching and his display of authority, news about him quickly spread. Jesus is what people are looking for. People are not looking for more commentaries and opinions about the law. They are looking for power and authority, the kind that changes lives, the kind that Jesus had. When they see this, news spreads quickly over the whole region.