David Bahn – Reflections

Mark 1:21-28

And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath [Jesus] entered the synagogue and was teaching. ²² And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. ²³ And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, ²⁴ “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.” ²⁵ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” ²⁶ And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. ²⁷ 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.” ²⁸ And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

Several years ago I was involved in a church building program. One facet of the many requirements levied by the city was that of planting a certain number of trees on the church property. Less than a year previous to the building project we had planted twenty or thirty saplings on our property – a result of one member’s Arbor Day project. When it came time to offer that fact to the powers at City Hall we were told that they didn’t count (they were not of sufficient caliper to qualify).

We tried to explain that we had surely planted many more of the smaller trees than required by city ordinance to no avail. We appealed to reason, compassion for our limited funds, and promise to make certain the new trees grew well. Finally, however, the person in charge said, “I don’t care. I’m in charge of trees, and I make the rules.” Some people don’t carry the mantle of authority well. They have no substance or moral context from which they rule – only power and the need to throw it around.

Petty authority versus real authority: there is a difference. And Jesus had the real thing. He was not concerned about the rules; he was concerned about the truth. He was not worried about loopholes or legalistic minutia; he cared about people and their hearts. So when he encounters a demon-possessed man he does not think one second that such a man should not be in the synagogue. He casts out the demon. When he taught he didn’t seek attention for himself, he sought to bring the truth of God’s word to the lives of God’s people.

Jesus taught with authority. He demonstrated his authority. He freed people from demons and from the cruel over-reach of pharisaical legalism. He touched people’s lives and freed their souls. And his fame spread throughout the region of Galilee.

Fact is, Jesus still does the same things today. He frees people’s souls. His teachings hold sway over legalistic rules-keeping religiosity. His graces changes people’s lives. His death brings life and his resurrection brings hope. His fame has spread down through the ages. Next time you are tempted to “rule” someone into God’s kingdom by forcing someone to obey rather than calling him or her to repent, remember Jesus. Let him speak into people’s lives, for he has the authority, and he wears that mantle well.