Mark 1: 21-28

A bible commentary I read recently depicted Jesus in the gospel of Mark in three facets: preacher, teacher and exorcist. In our lesson today, he’s described as a teacher with authority, not like the scribes. We don’t know what he taught in the synagogue that day. Chances are he taught about the good news of the kingdom of God having come; therefore, repent and believe the gospel.

What then follows is an exorcism. It’s the first miracle in the gospel of Mark. The unclean spirit appears in a man in a synagogue. Synagogue means in Greek or Latin, assembly, meeting or gathering.

The unclean spirit, demon, spoke with knowledge of, first, Jesus’ name; second, Jesus’ power, third, Jesus’ authority. His name may have been disclosed when he spoke in the synagogue that day. His power and authority were not on display in the synagogue until it was necessary. Human beings were not aware of his authority and power. The spiritual realm knew who he truly was. They fingered him early.

We heard a couple weeks ago from the gospel of John of Andrew and Nathanael having a strong inkling of who Jesus truly was. It’s quite interesting that in Matthew and Luke at his birth it was made known the Messiah was born, but there’s no hysteria about his birth. As a young adult, he went to the Jordan River to be baptized, and a voice was heard from heaven identifying Jesus as God’s beloved Son, but in Matthew, Mark and Luke he retreated into the wilderness where Satan tempted him. It was Satan, the adversary of God, who knew clearly who Jesus was.

We’ve grown accustomed to the automation of practically everything. Years ago, there was the fear and skepticism of 9-1-1 calls being automated. “Thank you for calling Emergency 9-1-1. If you’re being murdered, press 1. If you’re suffering from a split personality press 2, 3 and 4. If you are being assaulted, press pound, pound, pound. If you’re battling Satan, press 666. If you’re already dead, stay on the line, and an operator will be with you shortly.”

In this story, when Jesus taught in the synagogue, those who heard him were astounded because he taught as one with authority. After the exorcism, they were amazed and kept asking each other, “What is this? A new teaching with authority!” Mark’s account of this event emphasized the impact Jesus’ teaching had on the gathering, teaching with a miraculous illustration of the Kingdom. It was the whole package that caused his fame to spread throughout Galilee.

I’m encouraged as I’ve looked at this text and how Jesus’ visit to this synagogue played out. The work of the Spirit in Jesus addressed needs in multiple ways in this gathering of the religious in Capernaum. He taught as one with authority. Unlike later in the gospels, where opposition abounded, no one opposed what he taught that day evidently. There was a little darling that described her first day of school. “We had a new teacher, and she wanted to know if I had any brothers or sisters,” she said. “I told her I was an only child.” The mother asked, “What did she say?” The girl said, “Thank goodness!”

What do you surmise it looks like and feels like when the instructor in your class has the room and everyone’s attention in it? You’ve been there; so have I. Whatever the subject is, you’re captivated, and you probably don’t want the period to end. How did you feel afterward? You probably felt full, empowered and revived. Your instructor just deposited a wealth of information, wisdom and passion into your mind and soul, and you can’t wait for the next class, lecture or session to begin. Jesus said in the gospel of John, “The words I speak to you are spirit and life. (6: 63)” Within their astonishment, they tasted of the Spirit and true life. For some, I believe, they couldn’t imagine being blessed any more than that.

What followed was the miraculous. A person in the gathering was oppressed by an unclean spirit. After hearing authoritative, Spirit-filled, life-giving teaching, the demon made itself known and inquired if Jesus was there to destroy the whole brood of demons lodged in that person. The teaching caused the demonic to manifest and declare Jesus’ true identity. The demonic are not the ones to declare Jesus’ identity as the Holy One of God. “Be silent and come out!” This outpouring of the miraculous and merciful work of God was what this person needed. He might have been moved and encouraged by the teaching, but the unclean spirit which manifested was what needed to be extracted from this poor soul. The teaching blessed most. The miraculous exorcism was what blessed this man the most.

When we come to worship God in our sanctuaries, we assemble with various needs and conditions. Some of us come to hear the music and experience God’s presence in every note and lyric. Some of us come to enjoy the fellowship and camaraderie in God’s love shared and expressed. Some of us come to hear the Word and anticipate a taste of the Spirit as we delve into the scriptures. In many ways and in particulars ways, God comes to us when we come together in worship.

The story concludes with all of them amazed and asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even unclean spirits, and they obey him.” The kingdom of God came near them. In the form of the Holy One of God, the new teaching of the kingdom of God was taught. It astounded them, but then the man troubled by a demonic oppressor was set free. The miraculous didn’t set everybody free. The teaching didn’t astound everybody, but in combination, teaching with authority, everyone tasted of God, and the fame of Jesus was unleashed and spread.
How do you need to taste of God today? Our story today illustrates the ability and intent of God to reach out to us where we hurt and with unmatched authority. What’s wonderful to me about this story is that Jesus came to where people were gathered (we gathered through a FM frequency in the parking lot and through the internet on Facebook), he astounded many by teaching of the kingdom of God (the teaching was not limited to a few of a high intellect or wealthy station), he cast out an oppressive spirit that enslaved one man in the room (your need or my need is never outside the bounds of God’s ability to heal and bless), and they were all amazed by his teaching with authority (all that is Jesus is available to us). I pray that, once again, his fame is unleashed for you, and you spread his goodness to everyone you know and wherever you go.

Preached at Lincoln UMC in Lincoln, AL, January 31, 2021