The Amazing and Terrifying Jesus

Jesus is both amazing and terrifying.

Please consider these thoughts on one passage that demonstrates that.

In Mark 1:21-28, we read a fascinating account of Jesus in the synagogue at Capernaum. On the Sabbath, Jesus and his disciples attend the weekly gathering.

On this particular Saturday, Jesus is the teacher, and as the Son of God, he teaches like no one else. Perhaps you can recall teachers you had in school. Some were good communicators, and some were not. Imagine sitting at the feet of the God-Man and listening to him explain God’s truth! Throughout the Gospels, we are impressed with the teaching ability of Jesus. We can read his lessons and sermons and see for ourselves the divine wisdom that came from his mouth.

And we can read about his audience’s response. Among the people, reaction to the teaching and preaching ministry of Jesus was usually positive, at least initially. Such is the case here: “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of their law” (Mark 1:22). The people were blown away by the words of Jesus – he spoke with authority because he had ultimate authority – he was God in a human body and was speaking the very words of God. This was in stark contrast to the type of teaching they were used to.

A demon-possessed man is present at this service. The demon suddenly cries out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” (Mark 1:23-24).

This is an incredible scene. Again, imagine being in a church service, listening to the greatest teacher you’ve ever heard, and a man begins screaming at Jesus! A demon has taken control of his body, and no doubt made his life miserable. Jesus immediately takes control of the situation and the demon, and demonstrates his omnipotence by casting out the demon and telling him to be quiet (Mark 1:25-26).

This display of strength gives the people a second reason to be astonished – “The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, ‘What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him'” (Mark 1:27). Jesus’ wonderful teaching ability is surpassed only by his supernatural ability to cast out a demon.

As I read this story, I, too, am amazed. I am amazed at the contrast between the people and the demon. The people were astonished at both the teaching and power of Jesus. But the people do not seem to acknowledge the identity of Jesus. They fall short of realizing who Jesus is. On the other hand, the demon knows precisely who Jesus is. As loudly as he can, he proclaims that Jesus is “the Holy One of God.”

This is a recurring theme in Mark. The people follow Jesus by the thousands. They are eager to benefit from his miracles. He heals the sick and feeds the hungry and liberates the demon-possessed. Yet the huge crowds who clamor for his attention seem content to receive these gifts without acknowledging that the Son of Man is also the Son of God.

In this account, only the demon understands who Jesus is. The most wicked being in the synagogue has the most biblical theology. The demon believes that Jesus is the Son of God but is terrified by it, knowing that one day Jesus will come again to send him into the lake of fire with the devil.

Mark presents two responses to Jesus: the people are amazed, and the demon is terrified.

But being amazed at Jesus because of his oratory and power is not enough. He is not a circus performer or an Olympic athlete. Our amazement at his greatness should lead to our worship of him for his deity. His wisdom and might are worthy of only one response: submissive adoration. The difference between amazement and worship is huge. Only the latter leads to life; the former, to destruction.

Likewise, mere intellectual assent to the deity of Christ, while being terrified of his wrath, is also not the proper response. The demons believed that Jesus was God, yet they fight to the death against the divine King as soldiers in Satan’s doomed army.

We should be both amazed and terrified by Jesus. We should be amazed enough to worship him as God and terrified enough to run to him for salvation from his holy wrath. And because he is so worthy of our praise and so willing to save us from hell, our amazement and terror should turn into love, devotion and unspeakable joy. This is the paradox of the genuine Christ-follower.