The Authority in the Words of Jesus
Dear Brethren, after our Christmas time is finished, we embark on the Ordinary time of the church's liturgical year where we reflect on fundamental teachings and miracles of Jesus. Today, after Jesus had chosen the first disciples, he moves on preaching with authority, the authority which has never been seen in the whole of Israel with any Rabbi. He showed his authority in his words and deeds. Today's Gospel shows the authority of Jesus' word as he commands the devil which possessed a man to get out of him. The devil surprisingly recognizes him as the Holy One of God. However, this was not a genuine confession but a way of defending itself.
Brethren, every word that came from the mouth of Jesus had great Authority that it even commanded the devil, and it obeyed. His word was different from those of all other Rabbis and prophets who have existed before. When the Rabbis taught, they supported their statements with quotes from other authorities. The prophets spoke with delegated authority - "Thus says the Lord." When Jesus spoke, he needed no authorities to back up his statements. Jesus does not need any other authority, he teaches, ‘I say to you…’ He seems to be the master even of the Law. But it is God’s Law. Only God has authority over it, so who does he think he is? He is God incarnate, God among us, when Jesus speaks, it is God speaking, when he does it is God working, he is none other than God. He is the teacher comparable to Moses, who is to come into the world, the teacher prophesied by Moses in Deuteronomy 18.15, 18. Then, to confirm his authoritative teaching he shows his authority by overcoming the dreaded unclean spirit, wringing from it the sniveling protest, ‘Have you come to destroy us?’ and the acknowledgement that he has a special link with God. Do you believe in the power of the Word of Jesus that it can change your whole life.
Why did Jesus rebuke the devil from confessing him as the Holy One of God? Jesus is indeed the Holy one of God, whom God has set as ruler over everything, after He had made Jesus for a moment lower than Angels, but through his obedience and suffering again made the Lord of all. However, Jesus knew that the devil's confession was not a genuine one but a way of defending itself but also to show some authority over him. When some knows you and even by name, he at least has some authority over you. Jesus rebuked the devil because it has no authority on him nor on the man it was possessing. The devil's confession was also without love, charity to be precise; it did not believe in Jesus nor even love him, though it confessed him as Holy One of God. Confessing without charity and love is nothing more than being the devil.
Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD) remarked that "faith is mighty, but without love it profits nothing. The devils confessed Christ, but lacking charity it availed nothing. They said, 'What have we to do with you' (Mark 1:24)? They confessed a sort of faith, but without love. Hence they were devils." Faith is powerful, but without love it profits nothing (1 Corinthians 13). Scripture tells us that true faith works through love (Galatians 5:6) and abounds in hope (Romans 15:13). Our faith is made perfect in love because love orients us to the supreme good which is God himself as well as the good of our neighbor who is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26,27).
Reflect today on the power in the Word of Jesus? Do you believe that the word of Jesus can change your life? Is your faith backed up by the love of Jesus that it will produce fruits in your life not like that of the devil? Pray for the Holy Spirit to increase your faith in Jesus.
Let us Pray.
Lord Jesus, your word is power and life. May I never doubt your love and mercy, and the power of your word that sets us free, and brings healing and restoration to body, mind, heart, and spirit. Amen
Be blessed.
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