Monday 9 October, 2017

21 Jesus and those with him went to Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue. There he began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching. That’s because he taught them like one who had authority. He did not talk like the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue cried out. He was controlled by an evil spirit. He said, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the Holy One of God!” 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus firmly. “Come out of him!” 26 The evil spirit shook the man wildly. Then it came out of him with a scream. 27 All the people were amazed. So they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching! And with so much authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits, and they obey him.” 28 News about Jesus spread quickly all over Galilee.

There’s a word that jumps out at me in this passage. It’s used twice here to describe Jesus. It’s used by the people observing Jesus. It’s preceded by words like “real” and “such”. It’s a word that had implications for those who watched this miracle that I don’t think they were aware of. It has implications for me too.

The key word here is authority.

I wonder how much authority Jesus has in my life? I mean, he could force total authority on me – He is God after all – and yet He doesn’t.  He let’s me choose. How crazy and generous is that? The God of the universe, all powerful and awesome could force His authority on me and chooses not to – allowing me to get to know Him and letting me decide to give all authority of my life over to Him.

Father God, my life never belonged to me to start with – it was always yours and yet you never insisted your way upon me even though you had every right to. I gratefully offer my life to the authority of Jesus and offer back what’s rightfully yours. Use my life as you see fit. Amen

Written by Boudy van Noppen