Thank you for listening to these Words of Life radio broadcasts as we endeavor to share the Word of God to both the believer and the unbeliever and, of course, the speaker too.

All of us have prioritized sources of authority that in some measure determine and dictate how we think and live. For many it’s personal experience that dictates how one lives. For others it’s prioritized personal reasons determining how one lives. Still others prioritize tradition whereby many live as they have always done it before. Yet some prioritize God’s revelation in Scripture for their, for our, the believer’s ultimate authority to think and live because God says, because God commands that we believe and follow His lead according to the Scripture.

The written word of God points us to the living Word of God: Jesus Christ; He, and the principals of Scripture, are the mature Christian’s prioritized source of authority as to one’s thinking and living. Why? Because Jesus Christ is our personal Savior but He also must be our personal Lord over our lives as believers in obedience.

In our study text (Mark chapter 1 verses 21 through 28) it describes two of many reasons for Jesus’ lordship, that is His authority over us. Namely: Jesus’ teaching, and His power. These prioritize Jesus’ authority.

Let’s begin regarding Jesus’ authoritative teaching. Mark chapter 1 verses 21 though 22 “They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.

“Capernaum” refers to the “village of Nahum.” What it means, Capernaum, village of Nahum. Thereby, it was likely a reference to the hometown of the Old Testament Hebrew prophet Nahum. Capernaum was located on the Northeast edge of the Sea of Galilee; Capernaum was a prosperous fishing town. Based on archaeological excavations, and historical analysis Bible scholars estimate the population of Capernaum, in Jesus’ day, at between 1,000 and 2,000 people. The size of the town occupied about (15) acres in the 1^st century AD. Although Capernaum was a small, unwalled fishing village, it was significantly larger than neighboring Nazareth, where Jesus grew up, which had an estimated population of only a few hundred people.

Capernaum’s population was composed of fishermen, farmers and merchants. It was a thriving, well-established community with a customs (tax) post, and a Roman soldiers garrison. Most 1^st century AD villages in the Galilean region were small hamlets. However, Capernaum was larger, acting as a regional center. Jesus established His headquarters in Capernaum during His Galilean ministry as according to Mark chapter 2 and verse 1.

It was in Capernaum where Peter, Andrew, James and John had their fishing business, and also probably where Matthew worked as a tax collector revealed as by comparing (Matthew chapter 9 and verse 1) with (Matthew 9 and verse 9). Capernaum was also prosperous because it was built on a major Roman road Jesus after being rejected in Nazareth (Luke chapter 4 verses 16 through 31) moved to Capernaum. Mark chapter 1 and verse 21 “When the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue.” This was certainly not unusual as it had always been Jesus’ habit to attend the synagogue every Sabbath (7^th day of the week) “as was His custom” as revealed in Luke chapter 4 and verse 16. Jesus’ example is the model for Christians today to emulate now in church services in the church services era on every Sunday (barring, of course, legitimate circumstances the first day of every week.) Sunday being the day of worship and assembly generally for Christians today.

The Jewish system of synagogues goes all the way back to the sixth century B.C., before Christ, during Judah’s Babylonian exile. Prior to this exile, worship entered in one place, the temple complex in Jerusalem.

When Solomon’s temple was destroyed, the Jews were in exiled captivity in Babylon, for seventy years, Jews began to meet in small group gatherings Yet, even after these Jews returned to their homeland, and rebuilt second temple; they continued to structure their community life in local villages and towns around what had become official synagogues. In the New Testament the original Greek word translated “synagogue” simply means “gathering” or “assembly.”

As a result, long established before Jesus’ day, the synagogue became the enter of Jewish community life as a place of local worship, as a meeting hall, as a school, and even as a courtroom. Traditionally, a synagogue could be formed in any place on earth where there were at least ten Jewish men, pious Jewish men. Consequently, larger cities in the ancient world often contained numerous synagogues. Based on Jewish Talmudic writings and traditions Jerusalem had about (460 – 480) synagogues and the city of Rome had about (11 – 13) synagogues at around the time of Jesus. In 2026 there are five main, established synagogues serving the Jewish communities in Louisville, Kentucky in the United States! These include Judaism’s Reformed, Conservative and Orthodox as the main modern denominations. In 2026 there are no dedicated, active synagogues within the city limits of Jeffersonville, Clarksville or New Albany, Indiana in the United States. Jews attend synagogues in Louisville, Kentucky of the United States.

In Jesus’ day, and including today, one of the primary functions fulfilled by the synagogue was, and is, the public reading and exposition (that is explaining) of Scripture, our Old Testament, a practice that actually went back, at least, to the time of the Jewish leader Nehemiah in the 5^th century B.C., before Christ.

A policy known as “freedom of the synagogue” allowed any Jewish qualified man in the congregation to teach an Old Testament passage. Jesus of Nazareth as a rabbi (meaning teacher) was certainly qualified. Our study text in the gospel of Mark does not detail what Jesus taught, instead focuses on the listener’s response to what Jesus taught.

Mark chapter 1 and verse 22 “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Jesus’ listeners were thereby shocked! Never before had they heard a rabbi speak with such authority, with such originality, with such vividness. “Never man spake like this man” (John chapter 7 verse 46 in the King James Version). Jesus taught with absolute conviction, and with precision. Jesus did not teach based on the commentaries of others nor did He offer a variety of possible explanations.

“Teachers of the law” (that is the ‘law of Moses’ given by God to Israel), in Jesus’ day, were less focused on Scripture and more focused on repeating what previous teachers of the law or scribes had stated. They prided themselves on being familiar with all possible interpretations of a particular text of Old Testament Scripture. Rather than straightforwardly explaining the Scripture they delighted in complex musings, fanciful allegories, obscure insights, even mystical notions to gather followings disciples and listeners.

Jesus’ teaching ability amazed being so very unique, as radically different, as expressed by His own authority. His audience was riveted as they hung on His every word, as is revealed in Luke chapter 19 and verse 48.

However, probably even more astonishing to the crowd’s secondary was Jesus’ power!

Mark chapter 1 verse 23 through 26 “Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.”

Demon possession always present is usually hidden yet was dramatically and uniquely exposed during the ministry of the Jesus the Christ. Rebellious, fallen angels (or demons) were unable to contain themselves in their concealment in the presence of ‘the Holy One of God.’ In the Old Testament (except probably for Genises chapter 6 verses 1 through 2) there is no explicit record of demon possession. The gospel accounts, (especially Matthew, Mark and Luke) however in particular, abound with demon possession. Confronted with the holiness and the glory of the Son of God, demons revealed their identities often in violent and frightful ways. Notice carefully in (Mark chapter 1 and verse 24) the demon referred twice to “us”. Meaning that this particular demon was asking questions on behalf of demons, plural, probably everywhere. This once faithful angel knew exactly who Jesus of Nazareth was – the Son of God, (as according to Luke chapter 4 and verse 41) the Holy One which equates to the Son of God!

This wretched fallen angel screamed, screeched using the man’s vocal chords, a telling statement of mixed hostility and dread: “I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” Obviously, this demon was fully aware of Jesus’ divine power and authority. This (literally) “unclean spirit” of incurable wickedness cringed in the presence of perfect holiness and authority.

Jesus’ power and authority are evident in Jesus’ immediate rebuke: “Be quiet! …Come out of him!” This despicable demon was cast out of the man, instantly.

A question often asked today is, can a genuine Christian be demon possessed. The answer is absolutely not! So, why is that so? Because a born-again, baptized believer is immediately indwelt by the Holy Spirit. (As according to Acts chapter 2 and verse 38) Therefore, no demon can co-indwell a believer with the Holy Spirit within us as born again baptized believers. As revealed by the apostle Paul to the church in First Corinthians chapter 6 and verse 19 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God?”

A demon cannot possess a true genuine Christian; however, a demon can oppress a Christian with sore temptations.

Mark chapter 1 verses 27 through 28 “The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.”

Many today may be amazed regarding Jesus’ teachings and evidences of power. However, amazement of Jesus Christ saves nobody!

Curiously the demons knew and believed that He was (and is) “the Holy One of God” but they cannot be saved because they are in constant rebellion toward God. Yes, the crowds of people were amazed by the teachings, amazed by the power of Jesus but ultimately rejected Him as their Messiah, as their Savior and Lord.

Hear this, believing in Jesus only as master teacher, or as a powerful person saves nobody. Today, the Good News of Jesus Christ has spread, has penetrated every country on earth. Dedicated missionary work over twenty centuries, international migration, and through digital technology; now every nation has some Christians.

Yet nothing has changed regarding the way of salvation through and in Jesus Christ individually and personally, as one’s Savior and Lord. Because repentant, obedient faith in Christ must penetrate the human heart and lodge there. Jesus saves only sinners But it must be through saving faith who are then born again, born anew by God.

Have you received Jesus Christ? Are we remaining, that is persevering in Christ Jesus, the Holy One of God, the divine Son of God? “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” Colossians chapter 2 and verse 9.