Tuesday Thought – September 15, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

"Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority. In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 'Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?' 'Be quiet!' Jesus said sternly. 'Come out of him!' Then the demon threw the man down and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said, 'What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!' The news about him spread throughout the area. Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her." (Luke 4:21-39)

Jesus taught with authority and exercised authority over demons and over illness. Authority was the hallmark of Jesus' ministry. He declared Himself to be the Messiah, the Son of God. Those are titles of authority.

Jesus' acts of ministry were constant demonstrations of authority. The way He taught – like One who spoke from what He knew. He stilled storms and walked on water -- He had authority over natural laws and forces. He healed sickness, cured blindness, caused the deaf to hear again -- He had authority over the human body. He raised the dead -- He had authority over life and death. He ruled demonic powers -- they always obeyed His commands.

There was nothing on earth over which Jesus did not have authority. Authority was the centerpiece of who He was.

Authority still is the hallmark of who Jesus is and what He does. He sits at the right hand of the Father. All authority has been given to Him. His name is above every name. All things are being put under His feet.

He claims authority over our lives, too. He asks for our submission to His Word, His will and His way.

His, by Grace, Steve