Happy Mother’s Day! We honor our Mothers…not just because they deserve it.
Christ’s authority is best displayed in Mothers… Authority that flows from love.
Last week we started Mark and if you want some background listen to the podcast. Jesus of Nazareth is on the move…Mark is telling the most compelling of all stories. What we are going to see today is Jesus demonstrating His Authority as God Himself. Jesus The Messiah is beginning the process were He reveals Himself as God.
He does this by showing glimpses of His Sovereign power, His authority in all areas. How do you feel about authority? Do you need authority to be legit? What has to happen In order for it to be legit? Are you good with all authority? Are you good with no authority? Today we get a taste of God’s authority and how we do well to honor that authority.
Mark 1:14-28 (NASB 1995)
14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
- John is arrested while Jesus is being tempted for 40 days, goes to Galilee
- Gospel Of God used 5 times in NT [Mark once, Paul 3 times, Peter once]
- The Kingdom is going to be accessible because he is going to the cross
- It all starts with repentance and belief [trust in God]
16 As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
- One of my favorite places in the Holy Land: [Church of the Primacy of Peter]
- Christ connects with these men using their profession as a metaphor
- fish are there, but you have to go get them…same as souls 4 the kingdom
19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.
- With Simon and Andrew in tow He walks amongst the fishermen…
- The leave their current responsibilities and take on new ones
- They give up a sure and safe life to begin one with nothing guaranteed
21 They went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach. 22 They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
- Fishing grounds were just southwest of Capernaum
- At the beginning of the day when the gathering happened; max people
- Exposition of Hebrew scripture [explaining the story, context, theology]
- He does it in the way an author talks about a book he has written [familiar]
- Current religious leaders had strayed from relationship with God [unfamiliar]
23 Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, 24 saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
- Wherever Jesus is moving, demonic forces will disrupt
- Demon know exactly who Jesus is, and yet they have rebelled against him
- Demon tries to get Jesus labeled before it is time [He had a ‘P.R. Timetable’]
25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him.
- Rebuke = Reprimand / Admonished / Warned
- Christ commands and the demon obeys [obviously against it’s will]
27 They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 Immediately the news about Him spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.
- The reaction is amazement!
- The spiritual need is recognized [sheep without a shepherd]
- We will see different reactions of people to Christ’s demonstration of authority
- Lots of curiosity…We will see that some move beyond curiosity to faith
SUMMARY:
John The Baptist is removed from the scene to clear the way for Jesus of Nazareth.
[John 3:30] He begins proclaiming the Good News of redemption from God through repentance and trust in Him.
The Christ calls His first disciples from among humble fishermen, demonstrating that citizenship in the Kingdom is not about your place in this life. He calls them [and us] to become ‘Anglers of Souls’.
In the town where His first disciples live, Christ immediately demonstrates how He is different from the religious teachers of the day; in their gathering He teaches God’s Word from a place of authority that flows from authorship.
When faced with demonic disruption, Jesus demonstrates His supernatural authority as God. He commands the demon to obey Him and frees a possessed man.
Jesus’ demonstration of authority regarding God’s Word and the power over evil / unclean spirits causes a reaction of amazement that spreads throughout the area.
APPLICATION:
Do you consider repentance and trusting In Christ foundational in a relationship with God? If so, what are you doing to grow in those two areas?
What is the connection in your life between how much you trust Jesus Christ’s authority and how much priority you put on spreading the Gospel?
Have you see the demonstration of Christ’s authority in your life? How has it changed you? How can you let it change you more?