Sunday 01 February 2009

Background

In the Church calendar, today is Education Sunday. It is a dayfor giving special attention to all who are involved in the worldof education: from the children's secretary in the government - EdBalls MP, to the newest child entering a local school; from themost renowned professor, to the asylum seeker attending their first'English as a second language' class.

Our text from Mark is one of many in all four Gospels where we findJesus teaching people. It points up for us the importance oflearning and understanding. Our children will be influenced for thewhole of their lives by the world of formal education. What theyare taught and the teachers who teach them matter a greatdeal.

At the outset of his Gospel, Mark is anxious to leave his readersin no doubt about Jesus. He is different. He will make a realimpact on all who encounter him. Everyone is expected to sit up andtake note.

Jesus is presented as a teacher who has a powerful impact. Markmakes much of Jesus' teaching ministry throughout the Gospel. Onthis occasion, it is his delivery rather than the content of hispreaching which makes an impact. We are not told what he actuallytaught, but twice reference is made to the note of authority inwhat he says. Mark chooses to emphasise that authoritative presenceby adding in an illustration taken from Jesus' healing activity.So, we are told of the man with the unclean spirit being made wellagain. Mark's readers would have made the association of uncleanspirits with the forces of evil in their world. Jesus' authorityextends even over them. And, as for the scribes, or teachers of theLaw, important as they would have been deemed to be, they pale intoinsignificance alongside Jesus (so, verse 22).

But Jesus isn't just another, albeit more charismatic, scribe orteacher. He is not just another miracle worker. This is why we havethe reference to him as the "Holy One of God". He is God making adifference in their world.

Note that while "they" in verse 21 refers to the growing band ofdisciples, in verse 27 it refers to the crowd of eagerlisteners.

To Ponder

Think of the teachers who taught you. Whatqualities made the good ones stand out?

In what ways can the Church offer a powerfulgodly presence in today's world?