Mark 1:21-28
21 They went to Capernaum; and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Conversation
What is authority? Who has it? (an example) How did they get it? Who gives authority? For what purpose is it given?
Sermon: “They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority.”
During this past year our world has been questioning existing authority. It began just a year ago when a man in Tunisia lit himself on fire protesting government corruption… and brutal dictatorship. His death has sparked and world fire storm of protests against governmental authorities…which the media has called the Arab Spring. In country after country ordinary citizens have gather in the city centers calling on their leaders who have abused their authority… to leave office. In a few countries such as Tunisia this has happened with little bloodshed. As the protests gathered steam and their authority was being questioned…more leaders…began reacting in oppressive ways. First they tried their old methods of intimidation… picking up dissidents… beating and torturing them. When the size of the crowds continued growing… they tried other oppressive methods which had always worked. They sent in the army with tear gas and rubber bullets…with batons and water trucks trying to drive the people back into their homes.
Leaders made speeches…which they hoped would convince the world that they had the right to exercise their authority…and that that it is their right to use force… They accused peaceful protestors calling them… thugs or members of terrorist groups. For leaders…who desperately try to continue… it has become evident… to both their citizens and to the world… the authority to govern…which they have enjoyed in the past has completely eroded and evaporated.
While the Arab Spring has question authority leaders to govern in foreign countries…where leaders are often not elected… the issue of authority to govern and where it comes from… is also an issue in democratic governments like our own. Immediately after any election in Canada… media questions the new government’s authority to govern based on the percent of actual vote it receives. If it is substantially less than 50%…their authority is questioned.
Authority is also not limited to governments…it also ranks high in academics and experience. Education and experience in certain fields of expertise gives graduates the authority to speak and teach in their field. Authority is even important in the church… People seeking to become pastors must receive authorization from many levels. They must be recommended by their congregation…and by a committee of the wider church which examines them… They must past the educational requirements of the seminary. And after they graduate and are ordained pastors are given authority. They are authorized and ordained to the work of word and sacrament. Authority regardless of whether it is in government, academics, experience, or church leadership must be granted in some way.
We have a love hate relationship with authority. When we get a chance to exercise authority we like to. We like to be in control…and authority helps getting things done…the way we want them done. On the other hand… sometimes when things are not working out so well… we would prefer not to be the ones who have authority. We would much rather be a by-stander…analyzing how someone else’s authority has been good or how it has fallen short. In this way we don’t have to be accountable for what happens.
Today the people visiting the synagogue are witnesses to two very different authorities. On the one hand…the scribes are the Biblical lawyers. They have studied the scriptures carefully gleaning it for every law…and have laws for every possibility. They are sticklers requiring strict adherence to every law…in minute detail. Because of their detailed studies scribes have the authority to teach… in the synagogue… Their teachings focus primarily on the law… and how people must conform to them…to please God. For them keeping all laws is required with no exceptions.
On the other hand while the scribes receive their authority from learning and memorizing the details of each law. Jesus receives his authority in a very different way. He receives it as he is coming up out of the water and hears a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” With word of praise from heaven still fresh in his memory…Jesus is teaching. His teaching is rooted in these words of loves… Jesus comes to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God saying, “The kingdom of God has come near.” Jesus teaches about God’s love…which comes first and is most important. He teaches that God’s love is the true source of God’s laws. The laws which God gives are rooted God’s love…and go like this; “God first loved each of us…therefore we will love God and we will love as God loves.” In God “Law of Love” love always super cedes or surpasses any specifics of the law.
Jesus is not satisfied though in just saying words… On queue a possessed man appears in the synagogue… and Jesus is confronted by a very real situation…which tests his teaching and his knowledge about the law. He knows the Sabbath Day laws… which are meant for honoring God… He knows the Commandment given on the mountain; Remember the Sabbath Day, and keep it holy. He knows that the scribes have made many more laws in support of the Sabbath Day law, which prohibit working on the Sabbath. His response to the situation originates from his understanding of the “Law of Love”. Love and compassion moves Jesus to act. He breaks the Sabbath Day laws to help the possessed man. As God first loves us, Jesus’ love super cedes the Sabbath Day laws. He loves the man first. And even though the man voice cries out against him… Jesus does not with hold his love. He still heals the man. Jesus’ actions are consistent with his teachings. Everything for Jesus begins with love.
As Jesus teaches the visitors to the synagogue with authority…he also teaches us. He teaches us about how God has loved us first. In response he calls us and teaches us… to love God and to also love everything and everyone God loves. By his actions we are called to live according to the “Law of Love”. We are called to proclaim the Good News of God. We are called to encourage our world about how God’s nearness… is something we can be happy and contented about… because our God loves us and is pleased with us.
Let us all live and love as God love. Thanks be to God. Amen
