This isn’t the first time people were amazed at Jesus, and
it won’t be the last. But on that day in
Capernaum when Jesus came to the synagogue and taught, they were amazed.
They weren’t amazed that he taught. It was common practice for synagogues to welcome
visiting teachers. Jesus had now begun
his public ministry, and was attended by disciples of his own. What amazed them was that he taught with
authority.
I suppose you’ve probably heard a number of different
preachers over the years. Pastor Huebel
had his own style and habits, not all that different from my own. Some pastors tell more stories. Some gravitate toward poetic wording, and
others are better at the use of humor (and some, sad to say, are not). I suppose these Jews had heard a variety of
teachers and preachers themselves, probably with some degree of variety. But this Jesus was different. He amazed them.
Most Jewish teachers would approach the task by reference to
other teachers before them. Thus, they
relied on the authority of others, more learned, more wise, more
venerable. Even today, Judaism is built
upon layers of commentary, one upon the other, in which the accumulated wisdom
of the ages is received and advanced. Upon
the Torah is built the Mishnah, the Gemara and the Talmud. The Pharisees, we know, had many laws and
teachings which they added to the Word of God – but were really the traditions
of men. Jesus wasn’t like any of these.
He taught with authority. Authority of his own.
We can see him doing this in other places, like when he says
in the Sermon on the Mount: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye
for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one
who is evil.” And so forth… (Matthew 5)
But he would also prove his authority to teach by
accompanying signs and wonders. For
example, when he healed the paralytic who was lowered through the roof, he
first told him, “Son, your sins are forgiven”.
But when the rabble of his Jewish opponents whispered objections amongst
themselves, “who can forgive sins but God alone?” - Jesus showed them his divine authority by
commanding the poor man to walk. Get up,
take up your mat, and go home. (Luke 5)
Here, too, in the Capernaum synagogue, Jesus would confirm
his authority to teach and preach by exerting his divine power – and by
silencing and casting out the unclean spirit.
Thus the people are amazed at him once again, and his fame spreads.
So to the Epiphany question, “Who is Jesus?” this text gives
us some answers already. He is a
teacher. He is an amazing teacher. He teaches with authority, and confirms that
authority to teach by showing his power.
Now back to this man with an unclean spirit. What to make of this? How did this devil get into church
anyway? Martin Luther once said that
wherever God builds a church, the devil builds a chapel. I think that means, at least in part, that
the devil is never very far. He’s always
opposing God and his people. He’s
working against us at every turn, in ways and in places that may even surprise
us. But Luther also is supposed to have
said, “Even the devil is God’s devil”.
That is, as much as he rages against God, he cannot ultimately
prevail. And even his work – meant to
destroy – can be used by God for God’s good purposes.
The way the demon talks is so fascinating. One thing we might notice is that he speaks
the truth! He knows exactly who Jesus is
– and he calls him by one of his proper titles, “The Holy One of God”. The one, the ONE – set aside by God. That’s messiah-talk. This demon is confessing that Jesus is the
Christ! To that we can say, only, amen!
But he also suggests Jesus has come “to destroy us”. And before you get too excited about that –
look carefully. The demon says
“us”. Does he mean to include this man
he’s tormenting? Does he perhaps even
mean to include these other men in the synagogue? Or perhaps, more broadly, us, as in “all of
us. All of us here on this planet”? He just might.
For it’s true that apart from Christ we’re not any better
than the evil spirits. We are just as
unclean in our sin. You might say,
“what’s a demon doing in church?” But you also might say, “What’s a sinner like
me doing here?” We are like Isaiah,
people of unclean lips, and we dare to come into the presence of Holy, Holy,
Holy God? When Isaiah saw God he said,
“Woe to me, I am ruined!” Crying out in
similar words to this unclean spirit.
And any sinner confronted with the Holy One might do the same.
This is why we confess our sins right at the beginning of
the service. It is fitting and
proper. It only makes sense. For how else could we stand to be in the
presence of God’s holiness, if our sins are not forgiven? And thanks be to God that the one – the only
one – who has authority to forgive sins – God alone – delegates that authority
to his called and ordained servants, who announce and declare that forgiveness
and absolve penitent sinners freely.
And so Jesus destroys sin, but not the sinner. He casts out the evil, and renovates and
renews the man. So he does for us, and
for all who trust in him.
And while we’re speaking of Jesus’ amazing authority,
perhaps we should turn to the greatest expression of it. The most amazing and wonderful example of the
authority of Jesus exercised – like always – for us.
In John chapter 10 Jesus says, “I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from
me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I
have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my
Father.”
However it seemed to the observers, however it appeared to
the disciples and the Pharisees. However
convinced Pontius Pilate was that he had the power over Jesus’s life or
death. Jesus makes it clear. The cross was his own chosen destination, his
life was not taken away but laid down in love.
A sacrifice he himself offered as the great high priest. An exercise of his authority both profound
and sublime. If anyone is amazed at his
teaching, amazed at his miracles, amazed at his power and authority to make
even the demons tremble, then be amazed all the more at his great love that
brought him to Calvary.
But even more. Jesus’
amazing authority is not just in the dying, but also in the rising again. His authority supersedes even death. Oh yes, to all appearances, it seems to us
that death has the final word, the last say.
When they laid his cold clay in the tomb and the stone thudded shut, it
seemed all hope was lost. But the events
of Easter told another story. The angels
stood witness. The empty tomb and folded
grave clothes told the news. He is not
here, he is risen, just as he said. He
laid his life down, of his own authority.
And of that same authority, he took it right back up again.
And dear Christian, so will he do for you. The same authority will ring forth with the
angelic shout and the trumpet call of God when Christ comes again in
glory. And the sheep who know his voice
will hear that voice even in death, and will answer his call to rise from their
graves, and meet him alive and glorified.
You think silencing an evil spirit is amazing? Oh the amazement that awaits us all on that
day. When sin and death and devil are
finally destroyed and life and immortality come to light in all their eternal
fullness.
The author of creation, the very Living Word by whom all
things were made, exercises his authority, his authorship not only in creating
you but also in redeeming you. He calls
you by name in baptism, and you are his.
He calls your sins forgiven, and so they are. And he will call you even from the dust of
death to the life eternal he has in store for you in the mansions of
heaven. Such is the amazing authority of
Jesus Christ, Son of God, Son of Man, Firstborn of the dead, who lives and
reigns forever and ever, amen.
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