The NT365 Experiment: Mark 4:35-5:43

Authority is the one word that continually comes to mind as I read the first half of Mark’s Gospel. Jesus has ultimate authority, and Mark demonstrates his authority with the stories he choses and the way in which he records them. The ESV Study Bible notes,

“The first half of Mark’s Gospel is dedicated to the demonstration of Jesus’ authority over sickness, laws of nature, and the demonic world. He also calls, appoints, and sends out his disciples while regularly teaching in a unique and authoritative way” (Note on Mark 1:16-8:26).

Power Too

Along with this ultimate authority, Jesus has ultimate power, which is “the ability to act, or capability of doing or accomplishing something.” Jesus doesn’t simply have authority over sickness, laws of nature, and the demonic world, he also has the power to control and use them for his purposes.

Mark illustrates this beautifully in three stories that begin at the tail end of chapter 4 and continue through chapter 5. Jesus calms the wind and the waves. He casts out demons from a man in the Garasenes. He healed an unclean woman. And, he brought Jairus’s daughter back to life.

As the Son of God he had the authority to do these things. He is sovereign over all. There is no real argument against that if what Jesus says about himself is true. If he’s God, then he is THE AUTHORITY. There is no adequate or legitimate challenger, for there is only one God. But, he also had the power to enter into the forces of nature and calm them. He had the power to cast out the demons from the man. He had the power to heal a woman who had been sick for 12 years. He had the power to bring a young girl from death to life.

You see, in each of these stories, Jesus had the authority to command. He commanded the wind and waves. He commanded the demons. He commanded the life the of the young girl. And, because of his authority they were bound to listen. That is awesome! What kind of God is this? Isn’t that what the disciples asked while in the boat? “Who then is this that even the wind and the sea obey him” (4:41)?

But, he also had the power to make those things listen and to bring about the change he desired. He said, “Be still.” and they were still. He said, “Come out.” and they came out. He said, “Arise.” and she arose. He had the authority to command it, and he had the power to make it happen.

The Challenge for Me in the 21st Century 

If I’m honest with myself (and you), then I have to say that, though I love the fact that Jesus has ultimate power, I struggle with his authority. I want a God who can step into the realms of nature, demons, and brokenness and bring about peace, freedom, healing, restoration. Who doesn’t? I love Jesus’ power. However, I want to direct that power. Don’t you? I want to be the one to determine when, where, how, and in whose life Jesus uses that power. I want to be the authority, and I really don’t want to be subjected to his. But, that’s not how it works. He is the authority and he is the power. That’s a good thing because he is benevolent and omniscient. I’m not. He has the plan to bring about his glory and my ultimate good according to his divine purposes (Romans 8:28). I don’t.

So, my challenge is to submit to his authority in my life as well as rely upon his power. When I’m tempted to broker his power without his authority, I must repent and submit to him in faith. I challenge you to do the same.