Breaking the Word

Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!"  The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him." His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee. (Mk 1:21-28)

Jesus entered the synagogue on a sabbath to teach. Jesus was a Jew and he followed the traditions of the Jews. He was faithful to the traditions but with a difference. He was not a passive participant of the traditions that is just being pietistic. Rather he was an active participant of the laws and traditions.

He was a man of authority.  His authority was seen in his teachings and he had authority over unclean spirits and people recognized his authority. ("What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him." His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.)

His authority is related to his teachings and healing ministry. His authority is related to the kingdom. His teachings and his mission were ushering in the kingdom. It is the kingdom of God. God was entering into the world in his teachings and ministry. And this is the reason of his new teaching with authority. Authority from God.  

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him. (Mk 1:14-20)

About Jesus we have three messages: he comes after John; he proclaims the kingdom; he calls the apostles. Mark says that Jesus begins his ministry only after John had completed his ministry. John does the work of preparation and once he had completed his work of preparation Jesus begins his ministry. Jesus enters in only when the work of preparation is competed.

Jesus proclaimed the kingdom. It is the kingdom of God that he preached. Kingdom of God would imply that everything that happens has relations to God. Jesus thought of God, spoke of God, wrought the works of God. Yes everything had relation to God and revealed God.

Jesus called his first disciples. He called them while they were at work. Yes he chose people who were willing to work or people who do some work. He called them at their work place; and they had to leave the work to follow him. Jesus begins his work when the work of preparation is completed and he does the proclamation of the kingdom and to continue the work he calls disciples.