Authorized Teaching

They were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him. (Mark 1:27)

This teaching was different...it was not what the people were used to hearing and seeing. This teacher was different. He didn't fit the mold. This teaching had the ring of authority to it because the Teacher exercised His authority. In the midst of their Bible study, a demonic entity was exposed and manifested its opposition to the Presence of Jesus. The Teacher then gave everyone, including the demon, an illustration of what He was teaching about authority. It's as if He was saying, "Allow Me to demonstrate." When the demon was silenced and cast out, the demonstration made the point that when God speaks, the spiritual opposition surrenders. No argument. No question. No negotiation. No joke. Here the authority of God in Christ is being explained by the gospel writer as it truly is. The Lord Jesus rules. His word is authoritative. Mark has introduced his readers to Jesus, the Son of God. He clearly points to evidence that declares that Jesus the Man is truly God in the Flesh. And because He is God, He speaks a message from God. The gospel was this new and authorized teaching that had come into its time in the midst of God's people. Because Jesus is God, with the authority of God's gospel, His teaching was, and is, an authorization that the Kingdom of God has come and is now coming. In that day it was powerful enough to have dominion over unclean spirits. We can be assured it has not lost that power. It is still authorized in its teaching. The Word of God embodies the power of God. And we still stand amazed in the Presence.