Jesus words amazed the people as they had power and authority.
Luke 4:31-37
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.
A couple of words struck me as key essentials to this passage. The words are both ‘A’ words – ‘Amazed’ and ‘Authority’. We hear how people were amazed at Jesus authority. What was it that amazed them so much – ‘What words are these with authority and power?…’. It was Jesus ability to speak words of authority and power.
Jesus’ words did not fall on deaf ears even the demons knew who they were spoken by and were terrified. Jesus only command was verbal yet there was this physical reaction that followed. The demons could leave no damage as they left the human body without causing injury. This was evidence of the power of Jesus’ spoken word – can’t but help call it effective.
I wonder what it would be like to sit under Jesus teaching today. To hear the words he spoke and to be convicted by their power. Note that it was not his delivery style, his charismatic personality, his fine looks or his quality garment that the audience were amazed at it was his words. Words that had authority and power.
I don’t have to wonder too hard about what it might look like to sit under Jesus teaching as I have the words that he spoke available all day and night in the bible that sits beside my bedside. Yet do I open it and read it? And on the occasions that I do am I amazed at their authority and power?
Far too often I take Jesus words for granted. I think I know what is coming before I actually read them. Let’s today read some additional portion of God’s word (his bible – our bible) and be prepared to be amazed by what he says.
Head: feel free to pick any passage in the bible to be amazed anew at Jesus teaching if you need a suggestion why not read Matthew chapter 5 vs 1-12.
Heart: Ponder how your heart may be softened and changed by obedience to Jesus words of authority in the passage you just read.
Hands: Is there something from the passage you just read that you could ‘do’ as a follow on from his commandments.
Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus that you have authority over everything in this world. When I look and see the world and think it is spinning out of control I just need to be reminded by reading your word and reading the way you dealt with the waves and the ocean, the spirits and the diseases, life and death, that you are in control. Your bible says these words – Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Thank you Lord that there is nothing that can separate us from your love and your authority. Help me to submit daily to your authority in my life today and beyond. AMEN
A song to listen to: Amazing Love
Emma-Jane McNicol For these holidays, we are revisiting our Grow Dailys from the Luke series the Way Home 1.
