GOSPEL STUDY: The new teaching.
Third Sunday in Epiphany, 1/22/12.
Prepared by Achile Bourquin
In this week's Gospel reading, Mark 1:21-28, Jesus shows that the Gospel has power over demons. Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible.
Mark 1:21-28: "They went into
"He entered the synagogue and
began to teach. They were
amazed at His teaching; for He
was teaching them as one
having authority, and not as
the scribes" (vs. 21f). Note
the three repetitions of the
word "teach". Christ's
primary means of bringing
salvation to lost souls was
through "teaching". This must
ever be the central focus of
all Gospel ministers. People
must be thoroughly taught the
Gospel before they can
possibly believe the Gospel
and be saved. Questions must
be answered, objections
overcome, false religion
exposed, and the world's
opinions shattered. Those
that enter the
"He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (vs. 22). Preaching had fallen into a great state of decay in that day (and ours); "Parables, stories, allegories, witticisms, strange and foreign words, absurd legends, in short, anything that might startle an audience was introduced" (Edersheim, Jesus the Messiah); "Preaching was so greatly degenerated and so extremely corrupted, that it did not impress the minds of men with any reverence for God" (Calvin's Commentary). Jesus taught "as one with authority", fulfilling the prophecy, "He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God" (Micah 5:4). He spoke not of the opinions of Jewish teachers, "You have heard it said", but from His own authority, "I say to you" (Matthew 5:21f). He spoke as if He was the Author of Scripture, and its rightful Interpreter; "He taught them with authority, for He did not say, ‘The Lord says these things', as did the prophets, but, ‘I say to you', as befits the true Son of God" (Theophylact, 3.53). The people "were amazed at His teaching". Such is the nature and manner of all true Gospel preaching; it comes with authority and majesty and inspires wonder, awe, reverence, and praise in God's people.
"Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit" (vs. 23). The "unclean" indicates a spirit of a most vile, unholy character; a powerful demon of the worst sort. Likely that devil had sat peacefully in that synagogue for years, never once disturbed by the preaching until Christ and the Gospel came. He can no longer remain hidden; "He cried out, ‘What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth'" (vs. 24). The devil comprehends that Christ and the Gospel have nothing in common with demonic powers, and indeed are contrary to them at every point. As Paul asks, "What harmony has Christ with Belial" (II Corinthians 6:15)? "Have You come to destroy us"? The devil comprehends that where Christ and the Gospel abide, he cannot remain but must flee. He is "rendered powerless" (Hebrews 2:14). "I know who You are, the Holy One of God". The devil comprehends the divinity of Christ. As James teaches, "The demons believe and shudder" (James 2:19). The devil comprehends that this "Jesus of Nazareth" is the promised Redeemer of Psalm 16:10, "Your Holy One". If even the devils comprehend such things, how much more are we exhorted to believe such truth and be saved.
Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" (vs. 25). Even though the devil has spoken truth, Jesus will not allow him to teach God's people. We are instructed by this to never listen to demons, or those influenced by demons, even if what they say is true. As Isaiah says, "When they say to you, ‘Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter', should not a people consult their God"? (Isaiah 8:19). This has special application to all those who would be tempted to delve into witchcraft, horoscopes, astrology, clairvoyance, card/palm reading, etc.
"Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him" (vs. 25f). Christ demonstrates His absolute power over demons, even those of the worst kind; "He performed His miracles, without offering up a prayer, asking no one else at all for the power to accomplish them, since He is the living and active Word of God the Father" (St. Cyril, ACCS, 3.83). It is significant that this is the first miracle recorded by Mark. The events recorded in the gospels are often arranged according to theological order rather than chronological order, according to each evangelist's teaching intent. For the evangelists, the teaching of systematic spiritual truth is more important than providing an exact chronological record. By placing this miracle first, Mark shows that this must be among the first and foremost of Christ's works in our lives. We are all "captives of the devil, doing his will" until God "delivers us from the power of darkness, and translates us into the kingdom of His dear Son" (II Timothy 2:26, Colossians 1:13, KJV).
They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, "That is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean sprits and they obey Him" (vs. 27). Note that the people connect the miracle with the "new teaching". They comprehend that this "new teaching" (the Gospel) has power over devils that the old teaching (the Law) did not; it is a visible demonstration to the people (and to us) of the authority of the Gospel over devils, "and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:5). We are never told what happens to the man; did he become one of the apostles, one of the seventy-two, or some other eminent saint? It seems likely.
"Immediately the news (fame, KJV) about Him (and His Gospel) spread everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee" (vs. 28). This Gospel gave multitudes new hope to seek after Christ and the Gospel to be delivered from all the "works of the devil" (I John 3:8). It inspires the same hope in us. As Hebrews says, "This Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). Next week; Mark 1:29-39.