[149 words]
What’s the difference between an ineffective teacher and a school yard bully? The former has authority without power and the latter has power without authority. Our world is full of ineffective authorities and highly effective bullies.
When Jesus went to Capernaum, He taught the people and they remarked that He spoke “with authority” (Luke 4:32). This was clearly illustrated in the next four verses in which Jesus cast a demon out of a possessed man. Jesus ordered the confrontational demon, “Be quiet and come out of him!” (v.35). And the demon did. The response of the crowd was amazement and this statement: “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out” (v.36).
Jesus is the one who has all authority and power. Have you submitted to His authority so that you can glean from His power?
Edd Sterchi
Broadway church of Christ
Campbellsville, KY