What or who?
Early in the Gospel of Mark, we encounter our Lord teaching in the synagogue, where He drives out an unclean spirit. This moment is significant—not just because of the miracle itself, but because it provokes the first reaction from the scribes and Pharisees. They respond with astonishment, asking:
“What is this? A new teaching—with authority!”
At first glance, their reaction makes sense. They’re encountering Jesus within their own framework, a familiar context where teachers teach and teachings are weighed. To them, Jesus appears to be a teacher introducing something new. It’s their way of trying to make sense of the extraordinary.
But here’s the key: Jesus isn’t just another teacher, nor is His teaching simply "new." He is not one among many. He is the One.
The real question isn’t, What is this? but rather, Who is this?
Jesus is not merely a messenger delivering divine ideas. He is the message. He is not simply a channel for revelation—He is the source. He is the Logos, the Word of God made flesh.
This is the profound truth that Mark’s Gospel invites us to grapple with: Jesus Christ is not another prophet or rabbi offering a better set of instructions. He is the fulfillment of all teaching, the embodiment of divine wisdom, the eternal Word come to dwell among us.
As we reflect on this passage, we are called to ask ourselves: Have I encountered Him as He truly is? Not just as a teacher or guide, but as the living Word of God, the very presence of truth and life.