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The Gospel of Matthew Bible Studies
The Gospel of Mark Bible Studies
The Book of Acts Bible Studies
January 2009
February 2009
March 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
September 2009
October 2009
November 2009
December 2009
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4th Sunday after Epiphany (B) Text: Mark 1:21-28 February 1, 2009 In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, the Holy One of God. Grace, mercy, and peace be with you. Amen. Teachers. Teachers are such an important part of who and what we are. Although we probably have forgotten the vast majority of our teachers down through the years, they have all helped to shape and mold us into what we are today. Some of the teachers that we have had, however, are exceptionally memorable – and we will never forget then – even years and decades later. Sometimes it is because they may have been especially bad teachers – I have had a few of those in my life, and I am sure that has also been true for most of you. But I have also had some truly wonderful teachers in my life that I will always remember with gratitude, and I am sure that this is also true for most of you as well! What made those teachers so outstanding was not just that they were competent in what they taught, but also that they were able to share a part of themselves with me and my fellow students. The very best teachers I have ever known helped to stir within me a passion for learning and wanting to do my best. And whenever I needed help, they let me know that they really cared about me. Certainly, that is the kind of teacher Jesus must have been. For as we hear in today’s gospel: “They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” When preparing for this sermon, I noted that this very same statement also occurs in Matthew’s gospel at the end of the seventh chapter (Mt. 7:28-29), after Jesus had spoken extensively for three chapters on all kinds of things in his Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew, the crowd’s astonishment seems to be about the authority of the content of what Jesus taught. But in today’s gospel from Mark, the emphasis seems to be somewhat different. In our reading, there is no record of anything that Jesus actually taught. It is almost as if Mark is saying that the content of Jesus’ teaching isn’t the really important part. In the gospel of Mark, what makes Jesus’ teaching authoritative is himself – his personality. Through him, people were experiencing the love and the power of God – and their lives were being changed. Needless to say, a strong personality will also engender opposition. As we hear in today’s gospel; “Just then 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.” Mark clearly understands that this man’s opposition to Jesus was demonic in nature. That is, the “unclean spirit’ was not reacting to anything that Jesus was teaching – but was rather reacting to who and what Jesus was – the Holy One of God - a man full of God’s power. This “spirit” could not abide the fact that Jesus was bringing God’s love and peace and healing to people. So what does this mean for us? We could get all hung up on the question or whether or not demonic possession is real. Talk of spirits and demons seems rather primitive and makes many people uncomfortable today. It’s the stuff of bad “B” movies. And yet, we know that there is much that possesses us in our lives. We all have various guilts and fears and addictions within us that keep us from being the kind of people we really want to be – and keep us from experiencing peace. And try as we might, we can not exorcise these guilts and fears and addictions from our lives by trying to do it on our own – by trying harder. Evil is still a part of our lives. Getting rid of evil in our lives requires an authority from beyond us. Getting back to our gospel text, Mark wants us to understand is that the “authority” is Jesus! As we hear: “But Jesus rebuked (the unclean spirit), saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.” And then suddenly this man – this tormented, afflicted man – was at peace. I know that this may sound a bit silly, but this reminds me of something that I occasionally dealt with as a young child. Sometimes I would have some really bad nightmares – horrible, terrifying dreams that I would wake up from in the middle of the night. And then – I don’t know exactly when it was or what got me to start doing it – I began to pray before going to sleep, asking Jesus to protect me from those nightmares. And you know what? It worked!! The nightmares stopped! Now, I know that this could be explained in a number of ways – such as that I hypnotized myself or whatever. But I firmly believe that it was the power of Jesus that cast out the fears which I had. And I firmly believe that it is the power of Jesus that still protects me from those “unclean spirits” even today! And I have seen this happen with at least several other persons during the course of my ministry as a pastor over the years. For example, I remember once when I was serving as a hospital chaplain that a person came into the ER in an extremely agitated state – full of guilt and fear about things she had said and done in her life. And when I prayed with her, asking God in the name of Jesus to forgive her and to cast out her guilt and fear – suddenly something happened! Suddenly, her torment was gone and she was at peace! She was at peace, just like the man in today’s gospel text. What caused this? Certainly it was not because of any power that I had. Was it the power of her own mental suggestion? Perhaps – but to this day I absolutely believe that it was indeed the power of Jesus. And in the same way, Jesus also has the authority and power to help us in the midst of all the more regular worries, struggles, addictions, and whatever we all have to deal with each day. Even though we can not overcome the evils that afflict us within, Jesus can! He will give us the courage, patience, and faith that we need whenever we call upon his name. Yes, Jesus was a teacher who changed the lives of those who met him. Not just by the words that he spoke and taught, but especially by his power to share himself – and thereby fill people with God’s love, joy, and peace. And as he did this, even the unclean spirits were driven out. So it was for the people in that Capernaum synagogue, and so it is also for us today. As we deal with whatever evil and unclean spirits that may be tormenting us, may we know that Jesus always has the authority and the power to help. By sharing his life as well as his words, Jesus gives us the forgiveness, love, joy, and peace that we need each day to live as the people of God. As we heard in our gospel: “They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching – with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” Yes, and for us too – “He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!” Thanks be to God, in Jesus’ name! Amen! -------------------- Pastor George Karres 418 W. Main St. Sidney, MT 59270
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