Gospel in Art: Unlike the scribes, Jesus taught them with authority

St Francis performs an exorcism on a woman, Vie et miracles de St François d'Assise,1480 ©National Library of France, NAF 28640

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 9 January 2024
Mark 1:21-28

Jesus and his disciples went as far as Capernaum, and as soon as the sabbath came he went to the synagogue and began to teach. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.

In their synagogue just then there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit and it shouted, '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.' But Jesus said sharply, 'Be quiet! Come out of him!' And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him. The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. 'Here is a teaching that is new' they said 'and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.' And his reputation rapidly spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.

Reflection on the Illuminated manuscript Page

Mark writes that Jesus taught with authority. Jesus wasn't just interpreting the Law but teaching with authority. This was different from the scribes or rabbis whose teaching was dependent on what others had said or written before them. Jesus was teaching his own authority. This authority also meant that he could cast out devils, as described in today's passage. Such exorcisms are a witness to the final victory of the Kingdom of God over evil and death.

We are still in the very first chapter of Mark. So why is Mark recounting this episode at the beginning of his Gospel? The evangelist wants to set the tone from the beginning of his Gospel that Jesus came to heal. Jesus, from the very start of his ministry revealed how the gift of his power is to be revealed: not by dominance or overwhelming displays of power, but by gentle healing! Casting out devils is part of this healing.

Our Gothic illuminated manuscript page on vellum depicts Saint Francis of Assisi performing an exorcism on a woman. The black winged devil is leaping out of the woman's mouth. The town of Assisi is depicted in the background. It is a very simple, yet very effective way to depict an exorcism. Just like Jesus, Saint Francis and many of the saints could perform exorcisms, as an outward sign of their inner, core, spiritual strength.

Jesus' healing words always came from a deeper place. Our calling is to allow our words to come from that same deeper place so that they will carry some of that same power for good that his words had.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/mark-1-21-28-2024/