26th January 2024
Authoritative. Not authoritarian.
The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
Mark 1:22 (NIV)
Although Jesus didn’t stand out in a crowd in terms of how he looked, he certainly stood out by the way he acted. The header scripture above tells us, ‘…he taught…as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.’
Generally, when the teachers of the law in Jesus’s time taught they referenced their sources by naming a prophet or a famous Torah scholar. For example, ‘as Moses said…’ or ‘as the Rabbi-so-and-so taught…’ Jesus, as the passage shows us, was different. He spoke on his own authority by simply saying, ‘but I say to you…’. As Mark writes, this amazed the people.
But what happened next would astound them. A demon possessed man interrupted him with a loud shout (v. 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!” Was Jesus phased? Not one bit. He sternly ordered the demon to leave and it immediately did what it was told (v. 26). The crowd had never seen anything like it (v.27).
Jesus, the eternal Son of God, through whom all things were created (Col. 1:16) had all the authority in the world, and beyond. Yet he didn’t use it in the way the world does. He didn’t throw his weight around, barking out orders left, right, and centre. Instead he used his authority to serve (Mark 10:45).
Jesus used his authority to help others and that is how he expects us to act. If you are in a position of authority – and most of us are in some way or another, whether at home or at work – use it as Jesus does, with patience and mercy. Use it to empower, not overpower, to build up not tear down, to encourage and support, and love.
Remember that Jesus has dominion over demons, over sin, over death itself. In him, we have real strength to make a difference to all those we encounter, as we live our lives day by day.
I didn’t make that up, I have it on the highest authority.
Prayer
Almighty Father, thank you for sending Jesus to be born as a human: God in the flesh, the King of kings, who came not to lord it over us, but to serve us. Help us to trust him to change us as we humbly follow him and use his authority to help us overcome our sins and fears. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Study by Peter Mill
About the writer:
Peter Mill is a minister in Grace Communion International and Co-Regional Pastor for Scotland, Ireland, and Northern England.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion International Central Glasgow
Garnethill Room
Conference Suite
St Andrews West
260 Bath Street
Glasgow
G2 4JP
Meeting time:
Sunday 11:15 am
Local congregational contact:
Peter Mill
Email: edinburgh@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church