ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY
Opening Prayer
Lord, I pray that You will have full authority in my life.
Read Luke 4:31–37
Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit
31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.
33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 “Go away! 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!”
35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.
36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” 37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
The Scripture you are about to read is “God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16a). Allow this truth to “settle” deep in your heart.I remember my economics teacher from 33 years ago. I don’t recall all the economics he taught, but I cannot forget the energy and authority with which he taught. I remember that a roomful of unruly students listened and learned in respectful silence.
When Jesus teaches, people are amazed “because his words had authority” (32). In a parallel account we read, “he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22b, NRSV).
Who were scribes? How did they teach? Scribes were guardians of the Law, transcribing and preserving the Scriptures. They were also its interpreters, expounding the Law. The scribes often cited precedents, appealing to rabbinical authorities to support their teaching. Jesus, however, speaks in his own right, in his own name, which carries absolute and ultimate authority. The ancient formula, “Thus says the Lord,” is replaced with Jesus’ “Truly I tell you…” (e.g., Luke 23:43).
Not only did Jesus teach with unparalleled authority, he acted with unrivalled power (35,36). His works endorsed his words. Proclamation and power came together like a pair of well-sharpened scissor blades. How true is this in the church, and in my life, today?
Apply
To ask or act “in the name of Jesus” is to ask or act in accordance with his character. How does this truth influence what I ask for and how I act?
Closing prayer
Lord, You have the words of eternal life and I praise You.
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