The Authority of Christ

This Sunday we’ll be looking at Luke 4:21-44.

Right on the heels of Jesus declaring that the prophecy of Isa 61:1-2a were fulfilled, he goes out and demonstrates just how it is He will be fulfilling His messianic calling. While the people of Nazareth rejected Jesus, the people to the North-West in Capernaum have a very different reaction. They are filled with wonder…because of Jesus’ “authority“.

What things does Jesus demonstrate His authority over in this passage? What can it tell us about our own life specifically? How often do we ever think about the forces that operate behind what’s seen with the natural eye? What do we learn from Jesus’ interaction with those forces?

For all of His authority, Jesus also demonstrates submission as well. What does Jesus submit to, and what does He NOT submit to in the last few verses of this passage?

Good stuff to consider, we’ll unpack it more on Sunday!

5 responses to “The Authority of Christ”

tom

February 24, 2010 at 10:26 pm

authority can be influence. it can be expert power. sometimes we can look at the innocence of a toddler and their proclamation of wonder as a marker to where we might look for the meaning of life.

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Spud

February 25, 2010 at 4:31 pm

Is this young man, the same as in Mark Chptr 9?

Is there something about demons that Jesus is telling us as compared to other evils, or is he saying that all these sins/evils are from the demons and that you must rid yourselves of them. In addition, I am wondering if that thought continues with Jesus saying that he must go about the work of spreading the Gospel rather than doing the business of the demon that could possess him. Are those instructions the same for us? Rid yourself of those demons that possess you, and in doing so you can follow the directions of God.

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Golda

February 25, 2010 at 5:39 pm

I do not believe Christians can be possessed by demons. What I do believe is that we are in a world that is full of evil forces/spirits that we are in constant battle with. In fact, I have recently been hit from all sides and the only protection I have had is from Jesus, who has the authority and power to keep me safe. I now have a more powerful testimony after having gone through these trials.

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John

February 27, 2010 at 1:14 pm

Maybe the good folks of Capernaum were just surprised to see an authentic “religious” person. Jesus wasn’t concerned about quibbling over minute meanings of wordings like all of the other religious types or looking good for the cameras. Instead he seemed more concerned with actually helping those oppressed in his presence. Instead of heaping more law or rules on the people, he would deal with their core issue. If their burden was caused by a demon, then it would have to go. If they were sick, then they left Jesus well. In his hometown, he declared his mission statement, “I am here to heal the sick, loose the bound, and make right that which has gone wrong.” In Capernium, he put actions to his words. He said it of us, that the world would know we are his followers by our love. That was what was on display in Luke’s account too — love. God’s love for a creation gone wrong.

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Galilee

February 28, 2010 at 3:55 pm

I John 3:8b says that the reason Jesus came to Earth was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works of the devil. That’s what I was reminded of during this morning’s message. The image of a flame flowing from the open Bible, depicting the Holy Spirit’s work in a life that is filled with the Spirit and the Word, reminded me of Psalm 18:24 — God has been rewriting the text of my life, and I have been opening the book of my heart to Him.

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