Authority

Luke 4: ³¹ Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. ³² And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. ³³ Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, ³⁴ saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

³⁵ But Jesus rebuked him, saying,  “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. ³⁶ Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” ³⁷ And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

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“You can’t sign this?” I was told. “Why?” I questioned. “You do not have the authority to sign a request for the amount greater than your budget. Your boss will need to sign for this.” “Then I have to become the boss” I said to myself.

• There were times when I wanted to have the authority.
• There were times when I desired to be in charge.
• There were times when I wanted to be in control of “my” kingdom.

JESUS spoke with authority and the people were amazed. Instead of teaching from surface knowledge, JESUS probably provided the reason things had to be the way they were. HE then told a demon to leave a person. “Wow!” they thought. “HE really does have authority!”

• GOD wants me to know that JESUS has all authority.
• GOD wants me to know that JESUS is in control of my circumstance.
• GOD wants me to know that JESUS knows about every minute of my life and has already taken care of it.

Long before the world was made JESUS created me with free will. HE knew everything I would go through and the choices I would make. HE still accepted me into HIS family even though I would reject HIS ways, time and time again. I needed saving. Only JESUS has the authority to declare me clean so I owe my eternal life to HIM.

• Are you seeking power?
• Do you want your way and are pouting over it?
• Will you allow JESUS to use HIS authority to show you why you are in this circumstance today?