Becoming a follower of Jesus means living obediently under his Kingdom authority.
Mark 1:21-28 NRSV
[21] They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. [22] They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
[23] Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, [24] 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.” [25] But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” [26] And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.
[27] 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.” [28] At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
We want to read this story and talk about demon possession. That’s what our culture is obsessed with. But it’s really a story about authority.
In this story, Jesus showed us Kingdom truths:
1. King Jesus comes with actual power, not mere words.
The powers of redemption, healing, protection, etc.
2. King Jesus has the full spiritual authority of God over all things and all other kingdoms.
The very idea of a Kingdom is that there is a King who rules and reigns. The King has all authority and all power. Anyone who has power is simply borrowing authority that has been granted by the King.
There are earthly kingdoms of flesh and blood – nations, governments, monarchies, etc.
There is a spiritual kingdom of darkness.
None of those kingdoms are on the same level as God’s Kingdom, and God’s Kingdom will eventually overrule them all under the reign of the Good King Jesus!
3. It is Jesus’ Kingdom authority that led to his crucifixion and our redemption.
King Jesus wants full possession of your life – your thoughts, your relationships, your attitudes, behaviors, ambitions, motives, passions, etc.
What are you holding back?
What would it look like if Jesus had full control of your body? Of your mind? Of your relationships? Of your budget? Of your heart?
