Text: Mark 1:21-28 David Endriss
Preached on 1/29/12

WHAT A SUNDAY!

Introduction
When I was in high school I had a friend who was something of a rebel. For several months he wore a button on his shirt that read, “I Question Authority.” Then, for added effect, he wore it upside down! The questioning of authority is nothing new. Be honest. Do you remember those authorities that you challenged? Parents, teachers, church, pastors, civil authorities?

Although we often question and challenge authority, we have learned to recognize and when appropriate respect it. One of the balancing acts that preachers have to struggle with is that we are called to preach with authority, but not to become authoritarian.

A Sabbath Day
I can easily imagine the residents of Capernaum making their way to the synagogue on the Sabbath with little expectation that this day was going to be any different than the hundreds of Sabbaths that had gone before. One of the adult men would be asked to read the scriptures and to teach, they would run through the liturgy and then head back home for the rest of the Sabbath day thinking and believing that this Sabbath worship was another reminder that they were God’s people.

Upon arriving at the synagogue they discover that the day’s teacher is a young man from Nazareth some twenty miles away. He was different than all the other teachers. He spoke with a different kind of authority than those who had spoken before.

Then, in the middle of the service, a crazy man interrupts, ranting and raving – “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 immediately silences him and then tells the unclean spirit to come out of the man and, after a loud scream, the spirit leaves him. No this Sabbath was not like the others. It was full of turmoil, the unexpected and the disturbing. I am sure the congregation in this synagogue was badly shaken by the end of the service.

If they were impressed by words, they were shocked by his actions. In fact, the gospel writer doesn’t even give us the content of Jesus’ teaching, just that it caused a stir among the congregation. But it was his actions that really made them sit up and take notice. It wasn’t just the substance of his message but the manner in which he delivered it. Jesus’ words and works cannot be separated.

A Disturbing Incongruity
It is disturbing that the only person in the synagogue who seems to know who Jesus was is this demon possessed man. While everyone else is asking, “Who is this man who speaks with authority?” this disturbed individual is the perceptive one: you are, the Holy One of God.

We come to church each Sunday, we go through the liturgy, the reading and hearing of God’s word with the same kind of regularity that I’m sure the worshippers in Capernaum experienced each Sabbath. And then one day, quite unexpectedly, Jesus shows up and everything changes.

Remember this is the same God who wrestled with Jacob, giving him a night he would never forget and leaving him with a life-long limp. Jesus does not walk into our lives or into our churches without leaving his mark.

But many probably resented the ruckus that he caused. They liked the calm and the peaceful regularity of a service that has no surprises. When he spoke we read that the people were astounded. The Greek there could be more literally translated, they were struck with astonishment. Or more colloquially, Jesus knocked their socks off!

Who is in Charge Here?
I’m sure the worshippers on that day were wondering what’s going on? What’s happening? Who is in charge here?

The church I attended as a youth was in the midst of their regular Sunday worship service when suddenly, in the middle of the sermon, a visitor stood up, interrupted the pastor, and began to critique the life of the church. Now remember this was a “typical” Presbyterian congregation! Can you imagine how you might feel if it happened here? The pastor wisely suggested that the man should meet with the elders of the church after the service. But when he refused to stop the pastor led the church in a hymn until the man finally left. As you can imagine, the whole experience left the congregation rather unsettled. Who is in charge here?

Another example. One evening the wrestling coach of my high school was attending a basketball game. His seat was high up in the bleachers and the crowd was cheering and screaming loudly. Many of his wrestlers were also on the school’s basketball team but on this particular evening the team was not playing well. They lacked energy and their defense was poor. In frustration, he cried out from high up in the bleachers, “put up your hands!” and in unison the entire team, instinctively raised their hands. Those boys on the court heard and recognized that one voice among all the others in the crowd and immediately obeyed. This of course, impressed all the spectators sitting around the coach. Who is in charge here?

Conclusion
Sunday mornings are often a time for refreshment and renewal. At times church may feel like the eye of a hurricane. A much needed place of rest in a world of turmoil. And yes, there are times when we very much need that kind of sanctuary.

But then there are the times when God steps in and unexpectedly “knocks our socks off”. We, like that church in Capernaum, are deeply affected by the words and work of this Jesus of Nazareth. What have you to do with us?

The plaque you see on the screen can be found on the home where the 20th century Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Jung used to live. Jung believed that spirituality had a deep impact on one’s psychological health. In Latin these words say: "Invited or uninvited God is present"

God is present in this church. And we, like that man are beginning to understand who this Jesus is – the Holy One of God. And, we have begun to ask his question: What have you to do with us? In a moment we will be stepping to this font and in a way be asking and answering that very question.