“They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law” (Mark 1:21-22).
Jesus and his new followers go to Capernaum on the Sabbath and Jesus goes into the synagogue. This is a great opportunity for Jesus to instruct the people assembled about the evils of the synagogue.
After all, the synagogue is not mentioned in the Old Testament. It was never commanded by God — therefore, it must have been an “invention of man.” We know about the silence of scripture, don’t we? If it is not authorized, it is forbidden, right?
But Jesus was more interested in teaching Good News about God reigning than he was in teaching the finer points of our hermeneutic. The people were amazed. This was not the usual sermon fare. This is authority.
bobtheclark 