The Authority Figure

Authority is a very strong word. Last Sunday I preached on the Authority and Power of Jesus. This was a topic full of boldness and strength because in the book of Luke where we were going over Jesus was teaching in the synagogue with Full power and Authority.
35 But Jesus rebuked it, saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people, it came out of him without doing him any harm. 36 And amazement came upon them all, and they were talking with one another saying, “What is this message? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out.”
Luke 4:35-36 LSB
When we think of this we have seen all throughout the Bible of several figures of Authority but they have all fell short and when we think of how could they, well it’s simple and it’s clear they were not God. When Jesus spoke people stopped and listened and whether they believed him or not it’s clear that they haven’t heard anything like that before. This was surprising to the people to hear someone with much confidence and clarity and spoke clearly about the promises of his Father.
For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be according to grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the seed, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all—
Romans 4:16 LSB
When we think of authoritative figures I used the example of our biological fathers and how they are the spiritual leaders and the figures in the home for discipline, same thing with God. God will be the father that disciplines just like he did in the Old Testament with Israel
“Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Go and say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, “Will you not receive discipline by listening to My words?” declares Yahweh.
JEREMIAH 35:13 LSB
It’s the same when we go for judgement. Without repentance and turning away from our sin then Judgement will happen and why? Because of his power and Authority and the same Authority he gave the mediator his son Jesus Christ. Most of the time we imagine Jesus Christ as a hippie Jesus where it’s all about peace and Love and even though that is true and is the case he is also a Lord of Authority and he is clear with his demands from the father. If we ever think that our father is not in charge and he doesn’t demand things then we need to think of the crucifixion of his son where he spilled the wrath on him on the Cross which was the ultimate sacrifice for his elect and shows his ultimate Sovereignty.
Share