Amazing Authority
Everyone was so amazed that they began to discuss this with each other. They said, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands the unclean spirits, and they obey him!” (Mark 1:27)
This congregation at Capernaum was so amazed at Jesus. He taught them from his own authority. He didn’t teach them like the other teachers of the law. He drove out unclean spirits with just a few words. They had never seen anything like this. It was amazing. So why didn’t it last? Why did this amazement at Jesus not continue throughout his whole ministry?
Could have been because they became comfortable with Jesus? Or because they were only impressed when he wasn’t calling out their sin? Whatever the reason was, we see it lead to Jesus hanging on a cross.
When we look at this account, we have to ask ourselves if we are still amazed at what Jesus has done for us. Do we still see his authority at work in our lives today? Or have we become comfortable with him? When the forgiveness of sins is brought up in the sermon, do we roll our eyes because “We’ve heard this every week since we were little.”? Whether you are struggling to see Jesus as your amazing savior, or you stand in awe of all that he has done for you, go back to Scripture and find the most amazing thing about Jesus: that he has made you his own by his grace. He has done everything for you. Amen.
Our song for today is “Amazing Grace” by Pentatonix