Almighty God,
You know we live in the midst of so many dangers that in our frailty we cannot
stand upright. Grant strength and protection to support us in all dangers and
carry us through all temptations; through Jesus Christ our Lord
It is one thing to have authority and it is another to
have that authority accepted. Lack of
respect for authority is a problem of our day.
Forty-three years ago this month; millions in Iran demonstrated against
the Shah to the point that he had to leave the country. The people refused to
bow to his authority. Though he had
authority as a king, his authority was no longer accepted, respected, and
obeyed by a majority of the people.
The same can happen to any person of authority,
including Jesus Christ. What is your
response to His authority? That is the question that we must consider this
morning. How should we properly respond to Jesus’ authority?
1. First, we must recognize His authority – “And they were
amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as {one} having authority, and
not as the scribes.” V.22
From the testimony of the Scriptures we see quite
clearly that when Jesus speaks and when He acts people are bound to take
notice. Jesus proved that He had that authority
that comes from the Father by what He said.
He spoke for God. But He backs up His words with His
works. Jesus speaks and Jesus acts! He says only those things that the Father
can say. He works miracles and acts of
kindness that only He can perform. This truly is the LORD made flesh. No one
can work like Him.
No one can speak like Him. By His words and by His
works we are called to recognize that there is none other. Only He can be the
Son of God.
Transition:
But there is more than merely recognizing Jesus’ works and words for what they
are. Few today would dispute what He has done.
Few, if any, would put a disclaimer on His words and actions. But how do
we respond to what He has said? What is your reaction to the miracles that He
works? His words and works call us to action.
2. We must also respect Jesus’ authority – “And just
then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried
out, saying, "What do we have to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You
come to destroy us? I know who You are-- the Holy One of God!"
Vv.23-24
“You believe
that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” James
reminds us. (James 2:19) The devil
himself recognizes Jesus’ power and authority.
The devil was calling Jesus out. Respecting His
authority the devil knew that Jesus has the authority to destroy him. “What are going to do to us?” The demon
asks. “Have You come to destroy us?”
The demon knew his fate. He will be doomed forever by
the one who has the authority to destroy him. That’s why he asks the question!
It’s not a matter that he would be destroyed. That fact is perfectly
obvious. The question is when. When will
this demon be destroyed? Will you
destroy me now or later? For You are the Holy One of God.
As the old
adage reminds us, one’s enemies make for our best critics. The demon gives testimony that this Jesus is
the Christ; the Son of God. We too, are
called to acknowledge Him. Even Jesus’
fiercest enemies do this. The difference? Yours is a confession of faith. You respect Him. He is our Lord Almighty; the
one to whom every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He, Jesus, is
Lord of all.
3. We
finally respond to Jesus’ authority –“And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be
quiet, and come out of him!" – V.25 And throwing him into convulsions,
the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice, and came out of him. And they
were all amazed, so that they debated among themselves, saying, "What is
this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and
they obey Him."
The inevitable happens. After nine anxious months a baby is finally
delivered. We know what is coming. And yet, when that blessed event happens we
are filled with awe. We take in a spectacular sunrise or sunset. We recognize
that this is something that happens every day.
The sun is
supposed to rise and the beginning of the day. We expect it to set as dusk
turns to night. But when we take it all in we are filled with wonder and awe.
Likewise, when recognizing Jesus we respond with
shouts of thanksgiving. As the catechism teaches; “For it is my duty to thank and to praise, to serve and obey Him!”
Yes, this is most certainly true!
The confrontation of Jesus with the demon only heightened the reality that this Jesus is King and Lord of all. May we resound in kind by offering Him our lives for service in His kingdom. Willingly following Him and praising Him for all that He has done. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Passive Sentences-9%
Readability – 75.7%
Reading Level- 5.1
The Crucifixion from a woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von
Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his
book, The Book of Books in Pictures copyright © WELS used by permission for
personal and congregational use.
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