Holston Daily Devotional January 31, 2021

Focus Scripture

Mark 1:21-28

The Man with an Unclean Spirit

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[a] commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Devotion

Jesus taught “as one having authority.” Of course, he did. Jesus has “all authority in Heaven and on Earth.” We learn that from Matthew’s version of the Great Commission (28:18b). We read it right there in the New Testament. I, on the other hand, do not teach like Jesus.

Pastors and teachers teach “as the scribes.” Our authority is not something we own. We derive it from the work of Jesus. We quote and refer to other authorities. No one in the Church teaches from authority quite like that of Jesus. We quote Jesus or other teachers. We United Methodists quote John Wesley on spiritual matters and appeal to his authority as his words conform to those of Jesus. We follow the advice of St. Paul when dealing with the lesser authorities of the Church, “follow me as I follow Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) Jesus Christ is our ultimate authority.

We are set free by this truth. Mark, Matthew, Luke, John, and Paul agree that we are not enslaved to people's opinions. We are bound to the teachings of the Gospel by the authority of the Risen Christ. Too many would-be preachers are in the habit of thinking their pronouncements carry the weight of inspired Scripture. I once had a teacher who held this opinion of his ideas. Arguing against his position was, in his words, “arguing with the Bible.” Church leaders should be wary of this kind of thinking.

Jesus commanding unclean spirits is a demonstration of his authority. The unclean spirit says, “I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” The spirit attempts to exercise spiritual authority over Jesus by naming him. The witnesses saw this attempt fail. They observe, “he commands unclean spirits, and they obey him.” Demonic testimony means nothing. Jesus showed the unclean spirit has no right, power, or authority to name him or proclaim him holy. Earlier in the chapter, God proclaims Jesus is the divine Son at his baptism. Jesus receives his authority from the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Lord, help us remember your authority is highest of all. Raise up pastors, teachers, and leaders in your church who rely on your authority. Grant us a better understanding of the Gospel Way. Let the world see this way through us rather than merely seeing us. Amen.