Amazed at Real Authority

No need for smoke or mirrors. 

Scripture:

Luke 4:31   He went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. ³² They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. ³³ In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, ³⁴ “Let us alone! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” ³⁵ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. ³⁶ They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, “What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!” ³⁷ And a report about him began to reach every place in the region.

Observation:

Jesus left Nazarene, which was in the north, and went southeast to the town of Capernaum. This becomes his home base for his ministry. Following the same custom that he has developed in life, he goes to the synagogue on the sabbath and there, he teaches. 

The people are amazed at his teaching ability. Until this time Jesus’ ministry is rather low-key. Throughout his writing, Luke is continually revealing Jesus’ identity — little by little. The people do not understand right away who he is, but certain members of his inner circle will gradually come to full knowledge. 

Interestingly, there is a man in the synagogue who has an unclean spirit. He speaks to Jesus in the plural and identifies Jesus as “the Holy One of God.” While other exorcists used all kinds of fancy techniques, Jesus’ effectiveness is a result of his identity and resultant power. The man is not harmed through this process but is completely healed and the people are stunned. 

The people are astonished at what Jesus has done, and as a result, the news about him begins to spread. “All the characters in the narrative now agree. Angels have proclaimed Jesus’ divine role. Demons have identified him as the Son. And the people are amazed at his authority and command over the spiritual powers” (Neale, NBBC).

Application:

The people had become accustomed to seeing exorcists work their “magic.” They did this by all kinds of fancy tricks, but not by words. When the man came into contact with Jesus, the demons were thrown into a frenzy. They knew where he was from and immediately recognized that he had power to destroy them. They identified Jesus for who he was, “the Holy One of God.” 

Real authority comes from God. Any other authority, that which comes from smoke and mirrors is not true power or authority. Whether within the life of the church, or the world, we will encounter those who will try to trick us with their magic acts. Don’t be enamored! It may look like they are doing powerful work, but they are simply manipulating the situation for their advantage. 

Prayer:

Lord, may I not be tempted to put my trust in anyone or anything that entices without true authority.  Amen.