This teaching will always be startling and new

Central to today’s gospel text from Mark 1:21-28 is Jesus’ teaching even though we are not informed as to what Jesus taught! Nevertheless, the story tells of how Jesus and his disciples arrived at Capernaum. Then, as soon as sabbath came, he went to the local synagogue and he began to teach. Jesus’ teaching made a deep impression upon the people. Unlike “the waffle” taught by the scribes, Jesus’ teaching was what people could listen to and say, “This man knows what he is talking about.” Suddenly there is an incident in the synagogue whereby a man possessed by an unclean spirit shouted, “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.” Jesus’ teaching now moves from being something that impresses people to one that provokes the universal struggle between good and evil. Jesus’ teaching provokes the unclean spirit to reveal himself. This demon then goes on the attack by trying to expose Jesus. But Jesus’ time has not come yet. The ultimate struggle has yet to take place. So Jesus commands this evil spirit to be silent and to come out of the man. The man is thrown into violent convulsions as the unclean spirit leaves him. Astonished, the people in the synagogue exclaim, “Here is a teaching that is new”. It is not only clear and convincing; it also has power over the forces of evil. What’s more, the unclean spirits “obey him”. Understandably Jesus’ reputation spread throughout the Galilean countryside. And nothing is said about what Jesus’ taught! Later we will learn more about Jesus’ parables and words of wisdom. But for the moment it is sufficient to say Jesus is definitely worth listening to, his words possess extraordinary power, power that even arouses violent concern among those diabolical spirits who claim to govern the darkest regions of our world and universe. Let us walk with Jesus as we follow his journey and let us prepare ourselves to be astonished by this powerful and ever-new teaching.