Breakthrough Of Divine Rule Series

19When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a

boat, preparing their nets. 20Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the

boat with the hired men and followed him.

These guys had been around… understood that this rabbi was deemed some sort of greater

authority sent by God.

Rabbinic tradition… students begin young… only the top few stay with it while the others are

encouraged to return to their family professions / livelihoods… eventually the top of the top could

come to their Rabbi… and ask to come follow them.

Here Jesus goes to two that had obviously never reached such a point… and he uses those same

words and CALLS THEM. This is the God who believed in them !... and believes in YOU.

Fishers of men > Declares the heart of the Kingdom… and the ministry it’s bearers would

have…PEOPLE.

…The rest of the Gospel of Mark is the portrait of the consequences of the arrival of the

Kingdom. In other words, what Jesus does and what he says paints the picture of the in-

breaking Kingdom.

As N.T. Wright explains, "Jesus soon became better known for healing than for baptizing.

And it was his remarkable healings, almost certainly, that won him a hearing. He was not a

teacher who also healed; he was a prophet of the kingdom, first enacting and then explaining

that kingdom." (From Chris Macky)

III. The Demonstration of God’s Eternal Rule

The Ultimate Reign Over TRUTH and RIGHTEOSNESS

Mark 1:21-22

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began

to teach. 22The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had

authority, not as the teachers of the law.

As was the custom in the synagogue, a visiting teacher was invited to teach that day.

His teaching "amazed" them.

A sense of alarm. Alarmed at his authority.

Rabbi generally referred back to the traditions and thoughts of others…as suggestions for

interpretation. Jesus quotes no one… but declares the heart of the Scriptures as the one who

bears that heart.

But there was someone there who got really alarmed. Notice who as I read vv. 23-28. If the

way he spoke on his own authority wasn’t enough, a demon-possessed man speaks out.

The Ultimate Reign Over SPIRITUAL CONTROL (Bondage)

Mark 1:23-28

Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, 24"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!"

25"Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" 26The evil spirit shook the man violently

and came out of him with a shriek.

27The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and

with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." 28News about him spread

quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

A man possessed by a spirit bent on tormenting a distorting one created in the image of God.

The demon senses the threat that Jesus brings.

“Holy One of God” – attempt to disarm, not dignify him.