When God Speaks

Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²² The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

²³ Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, ²⁴ “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

²⁵ But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. ²⁶ At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.

²⁷ Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” ²⁸ The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee.

²⁹ After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. ³⁰ Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. ³¹ So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them. – Mark 1:21-31

At first, I really liked Lane’s insightful commentary. He knew things about every subject: From sports to technology, and science to art, Lane had things to say. Insights to share. Facts to offer. Opinions based on facts…for the most part.

But once I caught him. He told me about a supposed function in a high-end Canon camera that actually didn’t exist. He insisted that you could focus the camera by where you looked in the viewfinder. I was a “Canonite” at that time, and I knew that what he was claiming wasn’t true. I told him as much, but he insisted. After a while his “I know something about that” attitude and bluster wore a bit thin.

Do you know a blowhard? He’s someone who knows all the answers and isn’t afraid to tell you about it. She can quickly outrun her knowledge and your patience. Worse than a know-it-all in things worldly is a know-it-all in things spiritual. That is only God’s prerogative.

God is not a blowhard. He speaks only truth. And when he speaks, that which he speaks becomes real. When God said, “Let there be light,” there was light. And it was good. He says, “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” and the demon is cast out. 

The people of Jesus’ day recognized this. He was different. He didn’t rely on bluster or cleverness to make his point. He is the Word of God incarnate and the embodiment of truth. And when he speaks he speaks of his own. He has nothing to prove. He has everything to offer. The only question is whether we will listen to him.

I’ve also had the privilege to hear from teachers who express the truths of God out of God’s authority. They may speak boldly or quietly. They may be great orators or very soft-spoken. But when people let God’s word speak through them, they can be a powerful force for good. When we try to bend the truth of God to our own arc we are imposters and will soon be found out.