Having called the first four disciples, verses 16-20, Jesus went with them to Capernaum. Mark then tells us that when the Sabbath came, "Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach" (verse 21). Two important things happened. First of all the people were amazed at His teaching. Secondly the evil spirit who was possessing a man cried out in the middle of the proceedings. The content of His teaching and His power over evil prompted the congregation to ask, "What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey Him!" (verse 27). Notice three things in this passage.

1. The Teaching of Christ – verses 21,22.

On the Sabbath Jesus went to the synagogue – the word means a Jewish place of worship. Luke has an account of Jesus attending the synagogue in Nazareth, "and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom." (Luke 4:13). He had been brought up to go to the synagogue as it was His custom to attend, and He has set us a powerful example. Compare this with the words in Hebrews, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing" (Hebrews 4:13). The exhortation is to meet regularly with believers in a place of worship. Jesus joined with the worshippers in Capernaum, and having received permission to speak, He read the passage for the day, then sat down and taught the people from it. He explained the Scripture and applied it to His hearers. It must have come alive to them. They were gripped by what He said. Mark tells us that "the people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority" (verse 22). The word 'amazed' means that they were dumbfounded, they were struck out of themselves, speechless with amazement. This was the impact the teaching of Jesus had. Compare with Mark 6:2,3.
What were the distinctive marks?

• He spoke with authority. What amazed them was the content of His message. It came with authority from the Father. Campbell Morgan put it, "It was the authority of naked eternal truth, uttered through an absolutely perfect Man." This was altogether different from the teachers of the law.
• He spoke the truth. He must, for He is the truth (John 14:6). Compare with Titus 1:2 and Hebrews 6:18. He spoke the word of the Father which is truth (John 17:7). Constantly He said, "I tell you the truth" (Mark 3:28; 8:12; 9:1,41). He did not modify the message or dilute it; He spoke the truth.
• He spoke lovingly. He loved them and He was concerned for their souls. He pointed them to a God of love. The teachers of the law lacked love (see Mark 12:40).
• He spoke of important issues. His teaching lived. They understood what He was saying as He applied it to their daily living. He made them think as He shared with them the matters of life, death and eternity. The teachers of the law were often as dry as dust. How sorry Jesus felt for those who were not getting any spiritual food. (See Matthew 9:36-38).

These words should challenge preachers and teachers. We need the authority of Scripture and of Christ, the message of undiluted truth, and the love of God as we teach these important issues.

2. The Opposition to Christ – verses 23,24.

The devil comes in right on cue! We have the sad picture of a man possessed by an evil spirit. He had taken over the man, so that it was the spirit speaking through him. When the spirit heard the clear teaching of Christ it prompted the sharp reaction of evil. Evil was present and had to cry out. It was the meeting of light and darkness, of truth and error. He says two things through the man:

• "Have you come to destroy us?"
• "I know who you are – the Holy One of God!" – verse 24.

Let's consider the second statement first. While the people recognise the authority of Christ, the evil spirit recognises Christ as the Holy One of God. The demons are always aware of the deity of Jesus – in Matthew 8:29 as "the Son of God"; in Mark 5:7 as "the Son of the Most High God"; and here as "the Holy One of God". Sadly when so-called theologians deny the deity of Christ they show less insight than the demons! Look up James 2:19. But the spirit asks, "Have you come to destroy us?" Jesus Christ had come down from Heaven to deal with sin, evil and wickedness. He came to conquer the power of Satan and to defeat him. In the short term Jesus cast the demon out of the man (verse 26), but in the long term there's a time coming when the horrors of evil and wickedness will be over forever. On the Cross of Calvary Christ dealt with our sin and conquered the powers of darkness (Colossians 2:14,15). In the final judgment Satan will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). In this sense Jesus had come to destroy the devil and all his works (Hebrews 2:14). In a world of evil and wickedness we need to be reminded as Christians that "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

3. The Deliverance of Christ – verses 25,26.

Jesus said two things to the spirit: "Be quiet" and "Come out of him." The Greek for 'be quiet' is 'be muzzled'. He silenced the demon with a word. He then ordered him out of the man and the fellow was delivered, set free. The power of evil fell flat on its face in the presence of Christ. This passage emphasises the power and authority of Jesus –

• The power of the gospel – to change people's lives. (Romans 1:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
• The power of the blood of Christ – to cleanse us from our every sin (Hebrews 9:14; 10:22).
• The power of the Holy Spirit – to fill us, equip us (Zechariah 4:6; Acts 1:8).
• The power of God's Word – to speak into our hearts (Hebrews 4:12).