Authority

"They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."  

This week’s Gospel: Mark 1:21-2:

Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum*; and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

What does it mean to teach with authority, and not as the scribes?  The scribes may have been authorities on the scriptures; they had studied them and knew a lot about what had been written, knew what other scholars had said on the subject, and could offer this knowledge to other people.  But there is a vast difference between being well versed in a subject and being the source of all truth and knowledge!  When that one speaks, it is with true authority.  As Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen.” (John 3-11)  That’s first-hand knowledge! 

Leading up to today’s Gospel passage, Jesus has been tested for 40 days in the wilderness.  When he returns he is described as being filled with the power of the Spirit.  He goes to Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee and calls Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew, and James and his brother, John, to follow him, which they immediately do, no questions asked. In the very next verse, we come to today’s Gospel passage as Jesus enters the synagogue and begins to teach with authority that amazes everyone, even the unclean spirit that he casts out.  His authority over and command of both the physical and spiritual realm continues to astonish as the day progresses.  As soon as they leave the synagogue Jesus and the 4 disciples go to Simon’s and Andrew’s house where Simon’s mother-in-law is sick in bed with a fever.  Jesus takes her hand and she gets up, cured of her illness, and starts serving them.  Then that same night the whole city gathers around the house (word of his authority got around quickly) and Jesus cures many who are sick and casts out many demons.  Quite a day!

Rachel Roby

* Capernaum, located on the Sea of Galilee was a focal point of much of Jesus’ ministry.  In Matthew 4:13 we read, Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum.  Peter, Andrew, James, John and Matthew also lived there.  Modern day excavations have revealed a synagogue from the time of Jesus. Today there is a large octagonal Church built over the ruins of what is thought to have been the house of the apostle Peter.