In today’s world, we aren’t just bombarded with too much information through our TV, computer and smartphone screens. No, conflicting worldviews like Socialism, Critical Race Theory, America-First Nationalism, and even the “Name-It-And-Claim-It” Prosperity Gospel compete for our loyalty. How can we know whom to believe?

And no less urgent is the question of authority. Should the federal government have the power to regulate abortion, or should that be left up to the states, or even to individual families? Who gets to determine what is taught in public schools: the parents, the teachers, the administrators or the school boards? Who gets to decide the wages and benefits that employees deserve: employers, unions, or Congress?

In today’s passage, we see that such questions of truth and authority have a common answer. For Jesus not only taught “as one having authority,” thus claiming the right to settle all the theological debates of that day and time (Mark 1:22). He also proved that He had such authority by casting out a demon with a word (Mark 1:25). And because Jesus walked out of His tomb on the third day, there can be no doubt that Jesus is indeed the Holy One of God (Mark 1:24), the only One with the authority to determine what is right and what is wrong, what is true and what is false.

But just because Jesus has that authority doesn’t mean everyone already bows down before Him, pledging allegiance to Him. After all, the unclean spirit was the only one in the synagogue who knew exactly Who Jesus is, but nevertheless he had to be forced to do Jesus’ bidding: the demon obeyed, even though he didn’t want to.

Just so, it’s not enough for us to believe that the Scriptures are in fact the only infallible measure of truth, the Word of God that has authority to govern not only our beliefs but also our actions. No, we must also submit ourselves completely to Christ, living in the light of His gracious promises and making all our decisions according to His inerrant, infallible Word. For does the One Who died to prove His love for us deserve anything less?

Mark 1:21-28 (NASB)

21 And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and began to teach.
22 And they were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
23 And just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24 saying, “What do we have to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are– the Holy One of God!”
25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
26 And throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice, and came out of him.
27 And they were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
28 And immediately the news about Him went out everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee.