A new teaching
by Tatiana Overduin
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He taught them as one who had authority (Mark 1:22).
Read Mark 1:21–28
Today’s devotional reading begins with an account of Jesus in the synagogue on the Sabbath day. We read that the people were amazed because he taught differently to the teachers of the law: Jesus taught with authority. The people present at that event identified something very different, something new. ‘What is this?’ they exclaimed. ‘A new teaching … with authority!’ Just as Jesus’ teaching was clearly different for the people then, so Jesus’ teaching should be clearly different for us today. Jesus’ teaching is distinctive from the world’s teaching, and that is what makes it always refreshingly new. We can take great comfort in trusting that Jesus has all authority over heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18–20).
Many people assume authority over others: parents, pastors, teachers, employers, prime ministers, police officers, and the list continues. During the COVID pandemic, ordinary people were also given authority over others for a time, and perhaps you experienced that some could be quite insistent! With authority comes power, and human nature loves power and having control over others. All too often, we witness this power misused sinfully. However, genuine authority is different from just having a controlling power over others. Real authority comes with the responsibility to provide support, encouragement and safety for others; it isn’t an abusive power. Jesus’ authority is never abusive or sinful. Perhaps that is why the people thought it was new, as the Pharisees were renowned for being oppressive.
Having met people who have come to faith as adults, what is often obvious is how they begin to live in a completely new way: with a new sense of freedom and an assuredness of God’s forgiveness through the cross. They live with a deep, fulfilling peace. Living faithfully in God’s word does provide a new way of living because we live as repentant, forgiven, saved people despite having to live in opposition to what the world teaches. God’s grace offered to us through the Scriptures, gifted by the Holy Spirit, is a new way to live with forgiveness, love and kindness in all our relationships. Jesus’ authority continues to be new for us all, even today, every morning because despite our sinful human nature, we can look to his complete authority. Jesus provides the perfect way.
Lord Jesus, we are forever thankful that you have authority over all things. Amen.
Tatiana is married to Jim, and they live in Largs North, a seaside location in Adelaide. They have two adult children and six grandchildren, who are a wonderful blessing to them both. Tatiana teaches full-time as an English, History and Religion teacher; she gained a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Australian Lutheran College in 1996, and in her spare time, she enjoys knitting, gardening, singing for church, writing and swimming. Her home congregation is Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide.
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