The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.
Jesus spoke with an authority that was astonishing to those who heard it. He was not merely a subject matter expert, not even merely a well-trained theologian or scholar. There was something different about his words than those of others.
And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers (see First Thessalonians 2:13).
As Paul said, the word of Jesus was a word that worked in the hearts of others. As we see in today's Gospel, it was a word that could command even the unclean spirits who must then obey. It was a word that was living and effective, sharper than any two edged sword (see Hebrews 4:12). The word of Jesus was not limited by the theological traditions of men, nor even by the precedent of the Scriptures themselves. He was the only one who could say of the Scriptures, "You have heard that it was said", and then continue, "But I say to you" (for example, see Matthew 5:21-22). The Word of God itself which seemed so rigid and immovable began to live and move forward into a new era when Jesus himself spoke.
Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet! Come out of him!”
Jesus was able to heal without an elaborate rite of exorcism. He did not even, in this instance, seem to pray. Instead, he merely spoke and it was done. Such was the power of his word. And this same power is still to be found whenever Jesus speaks to us, including through the Scriptures, the Sacraments, and through one another. These words must not be taken lightly. They are meant to be life changing!
What is this?
A new teaching with authority.
He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.
One might have assumed, given the power of this word, that Jesus would simply speak with power to set to right all that was wrong with the world, all the things we currently do not see as "subject to him". But this would be to ignore the trajectory of this word, which was already made to be in some sense "lower than the angels" in order to come into our midst by the incarnation. That trajectory would continue even to the point of tasting death for everyone.
For it was fitting that he,
for whom and through whom all things exist,
in bringing many children to glory,
should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.
Jesus desired not just to be the one that perfected others, but the leader and pioneer who blazed a trail that we could in turn follow. In his own suffering he perfected human nature in a way that others could, by grace, participate. It was more than mere imitation, however, for it was his own life being manifest in those consecrated by him.
He who consecrates
and those who are being consecrated all have one origin.
Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers”
What Jesus did by his suffering and death opened the way for us to become his brothers us sisters. We need not fear the Fatherly discipline of the Lord, nor the adversity of circumstances. Instead, we can follow fearlessly, seeing that Jesus himself has shown us the way.
You have given your Son rule over the works of your hands.
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