Politics

Jesus and a man with a demon enter a synagogue. No, it's not the start of a joke.  But it could be.

Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and 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.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. - Mark 1:21-28

At first, they are astounded by Jesus' authority over demons, but later on, they decide that this authority proves he is in league with the devil.

What causes them to change their minds?

Surely they envied his power.  The larger the following he had, the bigger the threat he was to their authority and power.  In modern days, we would say the issue became political.  

Now one could argue that Jesus challenged the Pharisees and Scribes and that is why they turned against him, but even if he had been one of them, they would eventually turn on him.

His very existence, and his claim to be from God, made him a threat to them.

So, it was purely political, this power struggle that brought Jesus down.

And yet, his power and authority didn't die with him.  It lasts to this day.

So, what have we learned about challenging those who have power, especially power from God?

Maybe we are still learning, still seeking the return of the one who will show us the way again, only to not recognize him when he comes.

More to come...