Sermon on Mark 1:21-28
Mark 1:21-28
It is important to realize where our text takes place in the gospel of Mark. Our text today is from the very first chapter of Mark. Here is a little catch up for what has happened already in the gospel of Mark: John the baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; Jesus was baptized in the Jordan river, the heavens were torn apart, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus; Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for forty days by Satan; John the Baptist was arrested; and Jesus has called some of his first disciples. So far, Jesus has not taught, healed, or cast out demons. Our text today is the first time in the gospel of Mark that Jesus teaches and casts out an unclean spirit. It is important to recognize this to understand the reaction of those in the synagogue. They are amazed and astounded and Jesus' fame immediately spreads throughout Galilee. Our text today is also the first time in the gospel of Mark that Jesus' authority is mentioned, which is a common theme throughout Mark's gospel. I want to begin exploring our text by talking about this theme of Jesus' authority. We hear in our text today that, “[Jesus and his disciples] went to Capernaum; and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Mark here is not saying that the scribes didn't know what they were talking about. This is not meant to be something that is degrading or demeaning towards the scribes. The scribes function was to interpret the Jewish law for the people. This meant referencing the Jewish traditions, the Torah (what we call the Old Testament), and the various traditional interpretations of the Torah for daily living. Therefore, they would refer to tradition and what has been taught in the past, looking at the Torah for guidance. More or less what I do here on Sundays. Speaking God's word through the interpretation of Scripture
It is important to realize where our text takes place in the gospel of Mark. Our text today is from the very first chapter of Mark. Here is a little catch up for what has happened already in the gospel of Mark: John the baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins; Jesus was baptized in the Jordan river, the heavens were torn apart, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus; Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for forty days by Satan; John the Baptist was arrested; and Jesus has called some of his first disciples. So far, Jesus has not taught, healed, or cast out demons. Our text today is the first time in the gospel of Mark that Jesus teaches and casts out an unclean spirit. It is important to recognize this to understand the reaction of those in the synagogue. They are amazed and astounded and Jesus' fame immediately spreads throughout Galilee. Our text today is also the first time in the gospel of Mark that Jesus' authority is mentioned, which is a common theme throughout Mark's gospel. I want to begin exploring our text by talking about this theme of Jesus' authority. We hear in our text today that, “[Jesus and his disciples] went to Capernaum; and when the Sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Mark here is not saying that the scribes didn't know what they were talking about. This is not meant to be something that is degrading or demeaning towards the scribes. The scribes function was to interpret the Jewish law for the people. This meant referencing the Jewish traditions, the Torah (what we call the Old Testament), and the various traditional interpretations of the Torah for daily living. Therefore, they would refer to tradition and what has been taught in the past, looking at the Torah for guidance. More or less what I do here on Sundays. Speaking God's word through the interpretation of Scripture