by Rev. Peter Sulzle, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Redwood Falls, Minnesota
- Authority Revealed in His Amazing Words
- Authority Revealed in His Amazing Works
“They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’ ‘Be quiet!’ said Jesus sternly. ‘Come out of him!’ The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, ‘What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.’ News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee” (Mark 1:21-28 NIV).
We all have authority figures God has placed over us. Think of the authority figures in your life. Parents. Teachers. Bosses. Public servants. Government officials. God wants us to have a healthy respect and honor for those He has placed in authority over us in the areas where they exercise that authority. But earthly authority figures have certain limitations. Parents in one household don’t have authority over children in other households. State officials in one state don’t have authority in another. Teachers have authority in their classroom, and judges have authority in their courtrooms. But it’s limited to those rooms.
That’s what makes the authority of Jesus so amazing. His words and works aren’t limited to a certain segment of society or plot of land on a map. The way He uses His total authority is truly amazing. He uses it to serve you, to take care of you, and to save you. That’s what the people in Capernaum found out. Jesus has amazing authority, authority revealed in His amazing words and His amazing works.
Mark recounts a display of Jesus’ authority: “Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.” Many teachers of that day just quoted other teachers instead of the Bible. Many of the preachers would major on the minors. They would expand on God’s laws and regulations, society and culture. A sermon on this lesson might have a long discussion on Capernaum and its culture and then a detailed description of demon possession. They didn’t often get to the heart and core of Scripture and what it really meant.
But Jesus was different. Jesus spoke the amazing truth. He spoke of the important things—repentance, forgiveness, grace, salvation, and eternity. He applied Scriptural truth to their lives. His teaching was perfect and powerful. The disciples and worshipers were face to face with the highest authority. President Truman had a plaque on his desk that said, “The Buck Stops Here.” It meant that he had authority. His word was the final word. He wouldn’t pass the buck on his responsibility. But even the president’s words are often challenged and changed. However, the buck does stop at Jesus. His Word is God’s Word, and God’s Word is His Word. His Word does not change. He is the highest authority.
Many people question Jesus’ authority. They challenge and try to change what He says. It’s been like that from the beginning. Adam and Eve questioned what God told them when the devil asked, “Did God really say…?” Almost every book of the New Testament was written to defend the Word of God because people challenged it. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said a number of times, “You’ve heard it said, but I tell you …”
Human words vs. Jesus’ words. Who comes out on top? Humans try. We see the clash of authority between evolution (man’s idea that this world evolved over billions of years) and creation (God’s truth that He made this world in six days). See the clash between life and death. The abortionist fights for the murder of unborn babies. But God says, “I give life and you protect it.” Proponents of physician-assisted suicide proposed a bill in our state this week, but God says He controls the time of death. See the clash between relative truth and God’s truth. Human beings say there are many ways to heaven. God says, “Jesus is the only way, truth, and life, no one comes to the Father except through him.” See the clash of those who condone sexually immoral lifestyles (homosexuality, fornication, living together before marriage), saying they were born that way or it feels right or that cultural norms have changed and God who says it’s a sin which requires repentance and change like every other sin.
That clash with authority is ingrained in us by our sinful nature. We want our mortal words to hold more weight than the righteous words of an immortal God. Foolishly we think we can pit our authority against God’s like a two-year-old bound on winning an argument with his parents, and we think we’ll win. That’s foolish. Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. My Word is truth.” What He says will stand, no matter what philosophizing or theorizing or moralizing or excusing human beings do. God’s Word will always stand, whether it goes against human reason or not. Many will not realize that until they are forced to kneel before Him in the end when destruction comes on them.
I pray that everyone here would say, “When it comes to spiritual matters, we don’t want the opinions of our sinful flesh, other people, or even our pastors. We want the truth.” The truth is we are sinners. But the truth is also that Jesus paid for our sins. The truth is that God wants all to be saved. That’s why Jesus said to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven.” He said to His disciples, “Peace be with you.” He said, “I have authority to lay down my life and authority to take it up again.” That’s what He did. He used His authority to save us. He says, “Trust in me and live. Believe in me and receive forgiveness and eternal life.”
Be amazed at Jesus’ powerful Word! Only Jesus can speak a Word of life to free His children from sin and death, a Word of grace to free His children from guilt and fear, a Word of light to free those in darkness, a Word of salvation instead of condemnation. He’s always got the final Word. He also backs up His amazing words with amazing works.
Satan doesn’t want you to believe Jesus’ words, so he’ll try to discredit His works. That’s what he tried to do in the synagogue. “Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, ‘What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’” The demon spoke the truth. But Jesus didn’t want Satan to confuse people by witnessing to the truth. He said, “Be quiet!” He cast the demon completely out. “The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, ‘What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.’” Jesus had turned the authority of His Word into action. He made the demons obey Him. He proved His ultimate authority with miracles. He cast out demons. He calmed storms. He healed the sick. He raised the dead.
Isn’t that the kind of authority figure we need today—a miracle worker? We need someone who is going to follow through on His words and promises. We need Jesus as much as that demon-possessed man needed Him that day. You know why? There’s an evil spirit in each of us. I’m not talking about demon possession. Jesus lives in you, so you don’t have to worry about that. But we have a sinful nature that gives us spiritual delusions. Have you been deluded into thinking that a behavior you’re involved in is not sinful and deserving of God’s punishment? Have you been deluded into thinking that an evil behavior is not having any harmful consequences in your life? Have you been deluded into an attitude of tolerance for the sinful behavior of a friend or family member? Or is your demon the delusion that your sin is so horrible that it can’t possibly be forgiven? Does your sinful nature throw you into confusion about your Savior’s love because of a tough situation in your life? These are the devil’s delusions in our lives. We need Jesus to take them away.
The question is … does Jesus have the authority to get rid of demonic delusions? Many think that Jesus was only a wise teacher to copy. But Jesus is true God. Jesus is a miracle worker. In the Christmas miracle, He took on flesh and submitted Himself to God’s law. In the miracle of His life, He perfectly satisfied God’s demands for you. In the miracle of the cross, we see the transfer of our guilt and shame to Him. In the miracle of the empty tomb, we witness the defeat of death and see the doors of heaven open. Because of it all, your sinful delusions are gone. Don’t let your sin demons haunt you. Jesus has removed them and replaced them with clarity and peace.
Now He enables you to see God’s grace clearly and to live in that peace. Each time Jesus speaks, He begins or continues the miracle of saving faith. Each time the sacrament of Baptism is employed, Jesus is sending His Holy Spirit to work the miracle of faith. Each time you receive the Lord’s Supper, it’s a miracle of forgiveness and spiritual life. It’s a miracle when you come to God’s house or open His Word full of fear and you leave fearless—when you come to Him all riled up about life and you leave at peace with God—when you come confused and misguided and you leave with purpose and direction for a life of service—when you come a little stubborn and God softens your heart so you’re motivated to change with God’s help. These are the miracles for you through the amazing words and works of Jesus.
May we never allow what Jesus says and does to become boring or mundane. Instead, take in His words and works like the people in Capernaum, as if you’re hearing and seeing them for the very first time, every time. Trust Jesus and you’ll always be amazed. Amen.