Having Authority

Epiphany 4 – January 29
Mark 1:21-28

† In the Name of Jesus †

Grace and Peace to you, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!
Demonstrated Authority

A College professor has it, as he grades the projects of his students. So does the police officer, as you hand him your license and registration through your opened window. The Marine Corps drill instructor knows he has it as well, as will his new recruits, freshly arrived from civilian life. The judge, sitting in his robes, in his courtroom has it as well.
In each of these cases, someone with little common sense, may challenge whether the professor, the police officer, the D.I. or the judge really has authority. The challenger will soon learn, that true authority is not simple demanded, nor is it simply assumed. Rather it is entrusted, and it is given for a reason.

On this day, we as a congregation entrust an amount of authority in our elders, and to our Church Council. It is fitting then, that our sermon text shows the perfect example of authority, and a perfect use of that authority. While it is a lesson for us, who have been entrusted with a level of authority, it is even more inspiring. For in using His authority, Jesus accomplishes a miracle, a miracle that holds incredible promises for you, and for me.

There is another thing about authority – at least legitimate authority. Those who are subject to it recognize it in those who hold it. In our gospel reading today, those who witnessed it, who felt its impact, note Jesus’ authority. It was different from those who claimed to be the authorities, those who were described as teachers of the Law. The people noticed this, as did the demons, whose submission to Jesus’ authority was not willing, but was recognized anyway.

We will see that authority, as Jesus teaches the people of Israel, and as He delivers a man from being mastered by demons. As we look at this, we are going to learn a few things about authority, and most importantly, we shall realize the blessing of Jesus’ authority being used, on our behalf.

Jesus had authority in His teaching
He had the Right
As Moses Prophesied!
It’s not just
As we look at the gospel lesson closely, we see Jesus joining the gathering of God’s people in a small community, called Capernaum. Both in Matthew and Mark’s gospel, we find this is a common behavior for Jesus, and one which was accepted by the leaders of these communities, where people gathered to hear, and to study God’s word.

Jesus, is distinguished here, in comparison to men called scribes, those that studied the Mosaic Law, to the point of emphasizing word choice and grammar. These were men whose lives were dedicated to studying and teaching the scriptures. In modern Jewish terminology, they are the rabbi’s, akin to preachers and professors of the Bible. There men were looked up to for their knowledge, they were respected by people. However, Jesus taught differently.
Perhaps the difference is found in understanding the word “teach” in Greek. It is not to lecture, or to instruct, to share one’s extensive knowledge. The word means, “to cause to learn.” It requires that the “teacher” be more than a student themselves, to have done more than read the material, and found a way to present it. They must live the information, used it in life. That is how one becomes an authority.

Let me give you an example, using the concept of determining a percentage. For a math student, they might get the idea of how to establish what 10 percent or 15 percent is. They could tell you the process of how you determine the percentage. However, ask someone who has been a waitress or waiter for a dozen years. They don’t have to compute the percentages, and they can usually tell you who will tip 10, and who will tip 15 percent!

Or the master carpenter, who can look at a plan for a project, and know, almost instinctively, how many two by fours, how many sheets of plywood, and how many boxes of nails will be needed to complete the project. Whereas I would just stand there… and not even know where to look.

They are experts, they are authorities, they know what they are doing. It is more than mere speculation. When Jesus would take up a scroll, and explains it in the synagogue, His words were different than the professional student/teachers. He didn’t talk about holiness that God expected from man as a philosophy – he knew it, because he lived it. He didn’t speculate when the Kingdom of God would appear, He knew it was now, because His words brought it into existence, in their presence!

He was everything Moses promised He would be, in our Old Testament reading today!

18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. And I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. 19 And whoever will not listen to my words that he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.

Jesus words were the very words of God – the very words of God that the people of God need to hear. They were not theories about when God would come, nor how one might avoid displeasing God, because you came to close to breaking a commandment. Jesus words were true, they detailed what it meant to follow God’s commands, but also gave assurance of God’s love and forgiveness, the forgiveness He would personally guarantee, as He died to pay for that forgiveness on the cross.

By the way, the only authority we have, in the church, is the authority that comes from being in conformity with the very words of God. That is where out authority comes from, not from a degree that says I mastered theology, nor even in the fact that you entrust the preaching in this church to me. It comes when my words, are in concert with the words of Jesus! If my words don’t match, don’t follow them, or even bother to listen. Matter of fact, challenge me on them, for my sake, and for the sake of the church.

Jesus had the authority to ensure that message was accurate, and people knew.

Jesus had authority over all – even demons
The nature of Rebuke!
You know – even Demons know

The authority of Jesus was also shown, not just by His word, but by His deeds. A man shows up, in the gathering of the people of God, who was dominated by an unclean spirit, a demon. It is as if, the very authoritative teaching of Jesus, causes the demon to revealed. Perhaps the man for years had been tormented and controlled by this demon, we do not know – we do know that the demon makes itself, and its control over the man, clear, in view of Christ.

It acknowledges Him clearly – He is the Christ, the Holy One of God. As with most of the power encounters between God and mankind, the demon acknowledges what Jesus can do, and will ultimately do, completely destroy all that opposes the Father’s will. The book of James in the Bible describes this scene clearly – when James indicates that knowledge of God is insufficient, for even the demons know that Jesus is the Messiah, and they tremble at the thought.

I love the pictures that are inherent in the Greek language. Inside the term “said sternly” is the word often translated as rebuke. It is a compound word indicates that Jesus imposes on the demon respect towards Him. Think of the Marine Corps drill instructor, who is obeyed, because his very presence demands respect, because of the authority, and the power behind it. Jesus commands – be quiet, but in the force of a royal command. Come out - Go out from here. The power of the command is such that the demon, despite struggling, ends up doing that. The process is so powerful, that Mark uses a medical term – that phrase shook violently, or convulsed, is the term used for the kind of illness that twists one’s stomach. But the demon, recognizes the authority of Christ, and leaves the man, who is given peace and comfort, finally, at last.

Against one who has been given authority, there is nothing one can do…
So what is the deal about this authority – and Jesus.
His authoritative teaching – is for you!
What did He teach?
God’s Reign is Here
It is the power of God – to save!
His power, is sufficient to save
It makes mincemeat of demons!
It delivers you!

One of the professors at Concordia, in fact, its president, has a great question to ask to those who study the Bible like the scribes, and can note every doctrine, and every little cross t and dotted I. His question – “so what” What does it matter that Jesus had the authority to teach in a way that people actually learnt what the Old Testament meant for them back then, or hat does it matter that 2000years ago , a man commanded a demon to leave another man? Does it make a difference for you and I today?

Yes, it does!

In three ways,
One, His words are still authoritative to us today. We have them in the scriptures, and yes, like the scribes, we are to read and study these words. WE should hear them as the people did, realizing the incredible authority that sits behind the phrases. But that authority speaks of the fact that those words are there, for more than just study. They are there to assure us of Christ’s work, of His love, and of how He would have us live, as He has freed us from those things that dominate us!

Secondly, Jesus actions are still based in His authority. His ability to deliver people form sin, and the power of Satan, has not diminished, at all. He is the Lord, who saves His people.

And lastly, prior to Jesus ascension to heaven, He himself mentions His authority, and that He delegates part of that authority to us. Here those words,

18 When Jesus came near, he spoke to them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. “And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.”

So while we are about our lives, making disciples of all the folk here in Anza and Aguanga, remember, He has the authority, and He will be with you always…

And His peace, the peace of God which passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds, in Christ Jesus, our Lord!