Authority: power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behaviour; an influence exerted on opinion or behaviour because of recognised knowledge or expertise. Luke identifies this ‘amazement’ at or near the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, and characterises that ministry in terms of Jesus’ authoritative teaching and preaching (4:43). This was going to be a distinguishing, indeed a unique feature of Jesus’ engagement with the people.
I wonder how often we consider Jesus’ teaching to be in this category? As one whose words had authority ... whose words had power to influence, or command thought, opinion or behaviour. Specifically, our thought, opinion or behaviour. Throughout the Gospel Jesus gives evidence of His authority. To recognise it would hardly be the proverbial leap in the dark. We see His authority over many facets and consequences of the fall. Where creation – including the human sized and shaped pieces of creation – is subjected to His authority, brought under its sway, we find he Kingdom of God (4:43).
We tend to get a bit cynical about those in positions of authority. We’re used to seeing authority abused and misused. or perhaps simply used incompetently. That might prejudice against the idea of recognising Jesus as an authority figure. The only way to overcome that prejudice is to consider carefully how Jesus utilises the authority He has as ‘the Holy One of God’ (4:34). Consistently throughout the Gospels, His authority is used to the advantage and restoration of those who are the beneficiaries of His goodness, love and mercy. Our experience makes us wary of accepting someone else’s authority over us. The language of submission is problematic at best, inherently abusive at worst. But not all authority is the same... or at least, not all those who have authority are the same.
And at the end of the day, our commission (the ‘Great’ Commission as we call it) is to teach people to ‘obey’ everything that He has commanded us.
Questions:
Do you think of Jesus as One who has authority? How does that shape your discipleship? How would you help someone who said they were a Christian, but who didn’t recognise that they had to accept Jesus’ teaching as authoritative?
What is the connection between the reading from Is.61:1-2 (see Lk.4:18-19) and the way that Jesus’ ministry begins to play out in Capernaum?
How can someone who is possessed by a demon be found amongst the gathered people of God at worship (4:33)?
What do you think is going on when someone is ‘possessed by a demon’? Does this still happen today? ...or was it something that only happened in Biblical times?
Why does Jesus not allow demons to declare His identity (4:35 & 41)? What has to be in place before anyone can confess Jesus as the Messiah, or as Holy One of God? What do these titles for Jesus mean to you?
Should we expect to be able to cast out ‘impure spirits’ and heal diseases in the way Jesus does? What is the place and meaning of miracles in the ministry of Jesus? Should they be reflected in the ministry of the Church?
How would you define or describe ‘the kingdom of God’ (4:43)? What does it mean to be part of that Kingdom? Why does Jesus frame the reason for His being sent as to ‘proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God ... and so He kept on preaching’? Why does He define it in these terms, rather than performing miracles of healing and exorcism?
