Jesus' disciples obeyed his command without delay.
What of these scenarios is harder to accept? That Jesus would have the audacity to say, "Come, follow me?" Mark 1:17 (NIV) Or that four men, eventually twelve,would obey him? Mark 1:18 (NIV) And not only obey, but obey,"without delay" as it says inMark 1:20 (NIV).
Obey without delay? Who demands or even deserves such unrelenting obedience? I suppose that there are circumstances in which we might obey another. A dying man might feel inclined to obey the advice of a doctor, but he certainly isn’t compelled to. A child may listen to the counsel or mom or dad, buthe doesn’t feel obligated to obey. The simple truth is that we are rebels at heart, rebels down to the core of our being. From childhood we have been conditioned to distrust and disobey authority. We laugh at authority, mock authority, and discredit authority. It’s the American way!
We are rebels at heart.
We are a free people with a right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness on our terms. We don’t belong to anyone. No one can lay claim to our lives. No one has the right to command us. We reject any and every premise of being under authority. We’re our own authority! We say things like, "Don’t judge me. Don’t preach at me. Don’t tell me what to say or do. Stay out of my personal life. My life is my business. I am a law unto myself. I judge what is right or wrong."
Ephesians 2:1-3 (NIV) says, "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath."
We are rebels, rebels to the core of our being. It’s in our DNA to follow the cravings, desires, and thoughts of our sinful nature and to be disobedient. And yet here is Jesus of Nazareth inviting us rebels to live under his authority. "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Mark 1:17 (NIV)
Shortly after Jesus commanded the twelve, "Come, follow me" we read these words in Mark 1:21-28 (NIV). "They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out,'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!' "
" 'Be quiet!' said Jesus sternly. 'Come out of him!' The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The 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.' News about him (Jesus) spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee."
Jesus exemplified authority in his teaching and actions.
The one distinguishing trait about Jesus' ministry was his authority. He taught with authority. He gave orders, and evil spirits obeyed. The evil spirits didn’t have any trouble at all recognizing Christ’s authority. They immediately submitted to him. "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!" Consider what enormous authority Jesus possessed that he could drive such an evil spirit from man— without destroying the man.
Just yesterday I was listening to a senator talk about the CIA’s failure to reform 2 or 3 terrorists at Guantanamo. They were released to Saudi Arabia after being "reformed", but quickly committed new acts of violence. The only remedy? Destroy both the man and the evil spirit. Kill them. They'reunredeemable. But in an instant, Jesus speaks four words, and redeems the man while destroying the evil spirit. "Come out of him."
The disciples followed Jesus. The evil spirits obeyed him. Those in the Jewish synagogue discerned the authority of his direct, personal, and forceful teaching. "The kingdom of God is near. Confess your sins. Repent. Believe the good news. Be baptized at once. Be forgiven. Lay down your nets. Be healed. Be saved."
Jesus was so clear. So unambiguous. Who is this one who gives orders and expects to be obeyed? Who is this one who seeks to overthrow the cravings of our sinful nature, and establish his kingly authority in the hearts and lives of men? The testimony of Jesus is undeniably clear. In Matthew 28:18 (NIV) Jesus says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
Jesus is given God's authority on earth.
Colossians 1:15-19 (NIV) says, "Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy."
Look what God shows John in Revelation 12:10-11 (NIV)."Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: 'Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
Now back to the gospel of Mark. We find Jesus exercising his authority over sin, sickness, disease, and even death.Jesus overthrows and hurls down the darkest evils, demons.
Mark 1:29-34 (NIV) says, "As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door,and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was."
When we obey Jesus, we acknowledge his authority over our lives.
What does it mean that Jesus would have authority over our lives? You can tell when a man or woman has come under the authority of Jesus. When a man or woman has come under the authority of the kingdom of God, they obey!
Consider the apostle Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 when the people finally recognized Jesus' identity as the Son of God. In Acts 2:36-37(NIV) Peter proclaims, " 'Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.'When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' "
When people are under authority they naturally ask,"What shall we do?"In Acts 2:38 (NIV) Peter told them what to do."Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.' "
Confession, repentance, and baptism are the signs of a new life.
Confession, repentance, and baptism symbolize our desire to live under a new authority. We confess our rebellion. We turn from following our evil desires, thoughts, and cravings. In baptism, we die to ourselves and enthrone the resurrected Christ. We declare his authority over our lives, and we invite him to use his authority as Lord to drive darkness and death from our lives.
Friends, it’s under the authority of Christ that we can begin to live a new kind of life. Instead of living according to the flesh, we live according to the Holy Spirit. And suddenly, the power of sin is overthrown in our life, and we begin to taste the blessings of life and righteousness. There is healing and hope. There is redemption.
You see, Jesus' authority isn’t oppressive authority. It’s life-giving authority. It's benevolent authority. Those who deny Christ’s authority experience sickness, pain, and death. Those who deny Christ’s authority die in their sins and face God’s fiercest wrath that he has stored up for rebels. But those who embrace Christ’s authority in confession, repentance, and baptism taste forgiveness and eternal life.
Friends, you can only be part of the kingdom of God if you have placed yourself under the authority of Jesus. Jesus’ authority is to be heeded unequivocally and without delay. When people understood this truth, they immediately confessed their sins, immediately repented, and were immediately baptized. They didn’t want another day to pass of their not being part of God’s kingdom. They wanted the life and the blessings.
So rebels, what are you waiting for? Confess your rebellion. Turn from your rebellious ways. Be washed in the waters of baptism, and pledge your allegiance to the name of Jesus Christ for life.