AUTHORITATIVE LOVE
- Key Verse
- "What is this? A new teaching with authority!" (Mark 1:27b)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Jesus Christ is the ultimate authority.
Reflections
There are just some leaders for whom you will give your life. I had such a commander while I was serving in the Army in Bosnia. We young lieutenants would have given our lives for him. I think our loyalty came out of our deep trust in his ability and courage. But, more importantly, it grew from our sense that he deeply loved us. It was not a soft kind of love, but the hard and authoritative kind that is necessary to turn scared, timid lieutenants into warriors. He loved us enough to build in us a strength to survive.This kind of leadership trait can be distilled to a phrase: authoritative love. Americans are not fond of authority. But when you are in danger or suffering from oppression, a loving authority is exactly what you need to come to your rescue.
And authoritative love is what I see in Christ in our passage for today. He bursts onto the ministry scene with the stunning and bold, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) There is no diplomacy or equivocation here, just authoritative proclamation. Immediately, He catches my attention.
Jesus moves on to call His first disciples, and there is such authority in Him that a mere “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17) is enough to convince them to leave everything on the spot. Then, He amazes the scribes and rebukes the evil spirits. Nothing can stop Jesus. I find my heart in sync with the gawking crowds, “What is this? A new teaching with authority!”
His words and deeds arrest my heart. Could this be the One with all power and authority, here finally to rescue me? Could this be the One to whom it is worth giving my life? My response has been to “repent and believe in the gospel.”
Discussion Questions
1. Do you see yourself as someone in need of rescue?2. What is it about Jesus Christ that grants Him so much authority?
3. What can we learn from the first disciples' willingness to submit to Jesus' authority immediately?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. In verse 22, why were the people amazed at Jesus’ teaching?
2. Jesus taught with authority because He is God’s Son and was speaking truth! Where can you find truth?
3. Do you use truth when you are speaking to others?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Watermark Community Church.
Marni
April 29, 2010 02:05 PM
Thank you for your perspective on this passage. You're right - I often don't have a very positive reaction to the word "authority," probably because of horrible examples of authority we see here on the earth. But there is something so very freeing in Jesus' words - “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men” (Mark 1:17) - that compel me to want to follow Him! He will never misuse His power, He loves us, and He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. And He's absolutely perfect and holy, the Creator of everything, gave His life as a ransom for us...now THAT'S the kind of authority I can get on board with! And what a wonderful opportunity we have to choose to follow Him now, as one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:10-11)
Shannon Saunders
April 29, 2010 06:30 AM
Wonderful way to look at our Powerful Savior! Thank you, shannon
Lucina
April 29, 2010 07:09 AM
I love how you are responding to God's authority by using your medical skills for the city's poor and uninsured. What a great way to manifest the gospel. It's easy to see Jesus as Lord of you and Laura's life. Thanks for challenging me--especially on your 3rd question. Timing (the immediate kind spoken of here) is everything.
Scott Coy
April 29, 2010 09:20 AM
From Ranger, to Doctor, now prophet! Great word this morning Chris. You're right, I'm not often fond of authority and yet that is exactly what I(we) need. Thanks for serving so faithfully. Scott
Emily A
April 29, 2010 10:28 AM
Awesome job! You and Laura are such blessings to so many people at WM and around the city/world. Thanks for exhorting me to submit to His loving authority immediately and constantly (it's not a "one and done" action).
brandon avance
April 29, 2010 02:16 PM
Great thoughts especially- (Authoritative love is exactly what you need when in danger, suffering and oppression.) So true, and something God is just continually working on me lately.