Authority!

And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ” What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee. (Mark 1:21-28, ESV)

You must respect my authoritah!

I can almost hear Jesus saying this as the scene unfolds.

Jesus is in the temple teaching and the man with the unclean spirit comes in and immediatly the unclean spirit picks a fight!

Jesus didn’t say anything until the spirit asked what He wanted with them.

But once the invitation is open, Jesus tells them to scram. And they must.

His authority is a true authority that all will obey.

Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess the authority of Jesus!