In Mark 1:21-28, we find Jesus in the synagogue of Capernaum. He is teaching. His teaching amazes the people who are listening. During his time in the synagogue, a person with an “unclean spirit” approaches Jesus. The spirit calls out to Jesus in fear identifying who Jesus is. Jesus tells the spirit to be quiet and come out of the person. The people see Jesus do this, and they are amazed.
Two things amazed the people about Jesus. First, they were amazed at his teaching. He taught something “new.” We do not know what he was teaching. Perhaps he was giving a new interpretation of scripture. Whatever he was teaching caused the people who heard it to be amazed. Secondly, the people were amazed at Jesus’ words to the unclean spirit. They were amazed that the “unclean spirit” they considered “evil” listened to Jesus. Quite simply they were amazed by Jesus’ authority.
As the church, we are guided by the authority of Jesus. It is not an authority of control or fear in the sense that we hear Jesus saying, “You shall not do this!” Jesus’ authority comes from God and goes to God. Jesus’ authority rests upon the faithfulness and steadfast love of God. When we see Jesus express his authority, it is through healing, comforting, teaching. Jesus’ authority brings us to God.
As Christians, our authority should be founded in Jesus Christ—in the relationship that we find in him. It is not just a relationship with someone we read about in the Bible. Our relationship with Jesus exists in our hearts and minds as we strive to follow Him in faithfulness and love—serving and loving those around us with the authority of Jesus’ compassion and love. Jesus’ authority comes to us from God and brings us to God.