AUTHORITY 2

Luke 4:36—All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What is this teaching? With authority and power He gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!”

Jesus walked into a synagogue in the town of Capernaum one Sabbath day and began teaching. Who invited Him? What Rabbi did He follow or replace? And what was it He spoke about? We don’t know. But what Luke records is that the people were “amazed at His teaching, because His message had authority” (4:32). What intrigues me in Luke’s writing is what he didn’t say. The fact that the people were astounded at Jesus’ teaching implies that the typical lessons they received from the religious leaders were impotent—they were speaking words of little applicative value.

As Jesus ministered a man shouted at Him at the top of his lungs! Jesus, recognizing the presence of a very agitated demon, with five words silenced him and sternly cast him out. I wonder how long the possessed-man attended that synagogue unbothered by the presence and influence of men garbed in religious attire, speaking words devoid of authority. Did they even know a troubled man was in their midst?

So how does Luke 4:31-37 apply to us? How we answer this says much about how we live our lives! Authority is synonymous with solution. For example, if my car is breaking down, I go to Richard, a talented friend who is a skilled mechanic. He diagnoses the symptoms and applies the correct work to make my Ford run. I can sit and listen to people talk about what’s wrong with my car and hear all kinds of ideas but it will not get fixed until it is treated by someone who knows what he is doing.

God is our genuine life Authority! He made us therefore He fully understands us. If we want to live life to its fullest we must follow His manual and operate under the leading (authority) of His Spirit. Then we can weather adversity, failure and pain knowing He is in control. Then we can stop relying on people or karma for our success. What governs us in turn defines us. How long will we sit in the synagogue numbed by our own self-reliance or the influence of those who lead from the flesh and die accordingly!

God’s authority is ours to relish, flourish and nourish. Walk with Him and don’t be surprised if you hear yelling! Demons cannot abide the presence of their greatest threat. Embrace His power and awe is renewed! Sit under the teaching of those who are ruled by Him and blessing ensues. When God is your leader, you reflect His solution and the world cannot help but be astounded. Wow! Something to think about . . . in reveration!

Inspiration

It is only when we rely on the Holy Spirit and obey His leadership that the authority of Jesus Christ is recognized.—Oswald Chambers in If You Will Be Perfect