In Chapter 5 Jesus heals the demon-possessed man, we have talked about the story before in a previous post, but for some reason it really stood out this time round. The demons are scared of Jesus and know that he has complete control over them. They beg him to send them into the heard of pigs, and Jesus gives them permission.
In the very next chapter Jesus sends out the 12 disciples and gives them authority over evil spirits.
We have the same authority and I think often we don’t really live as though we do.
I was watching Super Nanny last week; a small girl was in complete control of her mother who was a complete wretch. It’s amazing how kids can do that to adults but it happens all the time. In a house though, surely it’s the parents that should have the authority?
I think me eyes were opened this week and had a real realisation that in the Kingdom of God, we as followers of Jesus have real authority and not just over evil spirits. Knowing and believing this can really change the way that we live and should give us a confidence to live life to the full as it was intended.
Week 5:
Tuesday Mark 15-16
Wednesday Luke 1-2
Thursday Luke 3-4
Friday Luke 5-6
We’ve not had many questions or thoughts so far, could be I’m reading on my own in which case you will have to continue to put up with my thoughts. If I’m not on my own though it would be great to hear any thing that stood out for you.
Until next week, have fun.
10:19 am
I’ve been thinking about the authority of Christ in my readings recently.
I think that our realization of this authority is actually what we should use to measure our faith.
Let me try and explain. When Jesus taught, it was often said that the people were surprised because he spoke as one who had authority. He was basically saying, “You’ve herd this stuff a thousand times before, you’ve herd your preachers tell you what great scholars of the past have made of it. Well forget that, this is what I make of it. This is what it means for you today.”
He didn’t rely on other people’s thoughts and simply retell them. He had the authority to share His own.
You’ll remember the roman commander who asks Jesus for some ‘remote’ healing for his daughter. He recognizes Jesus authority and likened it to his own. The commander could tell his soldiers to do anything and he knew they would obey. By the same token he knew that Jesus could command demons, disease, even the elements (commanding the wind and the waves was an even bigger deal to them than healing etc) and that they would obey.
This knowledge of Jesus authority was the foundation of his faith. The sign of his faith (described as the greatest Jesus had seen) was to act on this knowledge. He said to Jesus that he needn’t bother to visit his house because he could command healing from where He was. Of course you know the rest.
Faith is not about believing in God, believing that we are going to Heaven, or even believer that Jesus is God’s son and that He died for us, etc etc. Faith is founded on an understanding of Jesus Christ’s authority and acting in the reality of that.
I’ll stop now *smile*