Jesus was unlike no one else who had ever lived. When He began His public ministry, this was incredibly apparent. He displayed amazing authority and compassion.
Jesus taught with authority. Unlike the other teachers of His day, when Jesus taught about ANYTHING, He taught was an authority that amazed those who listened. He lived what He taught. He believed what He taught. He believed that those who listened should and could live what He taught. He showed them the way. He empowered them. He helped them.
Mark 1:21-22 (HCSB)
21 Then they went into Capernaum, and right away He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. 22 They were astonished at His teaching because, unlike the scribes, He was teaching them as one having authority.
Jesus healed people, inside and out. The power, authority and compassion that Jesus had inside Him compelled Him to heal others. He healed people who had emotional, mental, spiritual and physical needs. He showed love for all people.
Mark 1:23-34 (HCSB)
23 Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, 24 “What do You have to do with us, Jesus—Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25 But Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit convulsed him, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him.
27 Then they were all amazed, so they began to argue with one another, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 News about Him then spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew’s house with James and John. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all those who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. 33 The whole town was assembled at the door, 34 and He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
Jesus took time alone to pray. How did Jesus’ refuel? It was not by drinking a cup of Starbucks or the latest energy drink. Jesus took time alone with the Heavenly Father to pray. This was a priority in the life of Jesus, and should be a priority in our lives also.
Mark 1:35-37 (HCSB)
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there. 36 Simon and his companions went searching for Him. 37 They found Him and said, “Everyone’s looking for You!”
Jesus strategically went to various places to proclaim good news. One thing that was true about Jesus when He walked the earth was that He was always exactly where God wanted Him to be at exactly the time God wanted Him to be there. He had a strategy and plan as He shared the good news of repentance, forgiveness of sin, salvation, and what it meant to follow Him.
Mark 1:38-39 (HCSB)
38 And He said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.” 39 So He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Jesus was moved with compassion to help even the outcasts of society. In the first century, the skin disease of leprosy was a deadly illness. It was such a devastating disease that those who suffered from leprosy were sent to the outskirts of society, totally isolated from others. No one dared to touch a person with leprosy for fear the disease would spread to them. No one but Jesus, that is.
Mark 1:40-42 (HCSB)
40 Then a man with a serious skin disease came to Him and, on his knees, begged Him: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him. “I am willing,” He told him. “Be made clean.” 42 Immediately the disease left him, and he was healed.
What was the result of Jesus’ ministry as He displayed such amazing authority and compassion?
News about Jesus spread everywhere. Even when Jesus told people not to tell others about what He had done for them, they couldn’t help but tell the good news.
Mark 1:43-45 (HCSB)
43 Then He sternly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 telling him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go and show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses prescribed for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Yet he went out and began to proclaim it widely and to spread the news, with the result that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly. But He was out in deserted places, and they would come to Him from everywhere.
Mark 1:28 (HCSB)
28 News about Him then spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.
Have you seen Jesus’ amazing authority and compassion at work in your life? If so, have you spread the good news to others?
Jesus’ authority and compassion are expressed through believers as they live in His will. Most of the time we don’t fully grasp Romans:28.