Mark 1: 21-28 “They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “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!” 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 27 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 impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.
The authority of Jesus was heard in his teaching. He was engaging, confident and left people amazed. They hadn’t heard such teaching before. They were used to other teachers having to use someone else’s material quoting them verbatim in order to be acceptable but with Jesus He only quoted the Scriptures not Rabbi such and such.
That Intimidation is always a work of the enemy. Let me show you – The demons shout “What do you want with us, Jesus of the nothing-good-comes-from-this-place?” “What business do you have with us, Jesus of the hidden-small place?” This is the meaning of Nazareth and they are exploiting it almost like a swear word. Jesus the insignificant.
When intimidation is resisted it gives rise to insecurity, “Have you come to destroy us?” Demons know they are a defeated foe. Jesus comes to definitely destroy them. Insecurity is the right response from the demonic.
Insecurity paves the way for truth of the infallible Christ. He is Jesus of Nazareth but He is also the Holy One of God, the Divine and the Messiah. No one is above Him or more powerful than Him. He never fails. He is always effective. Even if He looks weak He is not.
The authority of Jesus is the gospel and it spreads quickly. Promotion is not needed for it promotes itself. Non-believers share the gospel, people who have never even seen Jesus talk of Him until the whole region know. It is quick. This doesn’t take months and weeks and in today’s equivalent it would be minutes and seconds. It is the now. It is like a raging fire that consumes all that stands in its way.
This authority that we have read about and though of: where is it now?
It is in you! He has given you His authority, this same authority that speaks differently, that is exposed by the demonic, which brings effective change and which gets people talking, is in you today!!