Word@Work Luke57 - Luke 4:31-32
Published: Thu, 03/11/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
AUTHORITY TO LOVE OR HATE
Luke 4:31-32 Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath began to teach the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority. (NIV)
Jesus had just survived a violent attack. Townspeople from Nazareth had just tried to kill Him for declaring Himself as God's Messiah who had come to save those with faith. And He said that if Jews would not believe, salvation was open to the Gentiles. His authority was so powerful that they could not ignore His words: but they hated Him for it. So they hustled Him out of the synagogue and tried to throw Him off a nearby cliff (Luke 4:16-30). In His home town, Jesus had needed to be quite pointed: He was the boss, and could never accept the patronage of those who wanted to make Him their dependant celebrity.
A week had passed, and Jesus had travelled 20 miles to teach in Capernaum's synagogue alongside Lake Galilee. The crowds wanted to be taught; they were eager to hear Jesus explain God's Word. There was no doubt in their minds that His words 'rang true' ... they had the inner impact of being authentic. While totally agreeing with the Scriptures, Jesus made their Bible come to life. They knew that He was speaking the truth, and had the right to say it. And the people liked what they heard.
Someone who is good and transparently authoritative will naturally attract supporters and admirers. The larger, more cosmopolitan fishing and trading port of Capernaum was different from the smaller, more rural, Nazareth. Along the lakeside, it was easier to get lost in the crowd, to be an admirer without being a disciple: it was easier to hear the truth and yet think no action was required. His authority was recognised but they were not going to let Him get close enough to change their lives.
That is how many people think about Jesus today. He seems good from a distance, and His words sound wise. But many people are reluctant to get too involved, perhaps secretly fearing that if Jesus is right He will command their attention and call them to follow Him. Today, the words and life of Jesus are admired by many, who even dignify Him with titles such as 'teacher' or 'prophet'. His words can be added comfortably into many religious soups; but when people realise He has the authority of being God the Son ... they either have to give their lives to Him, or they try to get Him out of their lives. Real authority is never neutral. Authority demands obedience. Therefore rejecting the authority of Jesus invites His judgement. That is why it is important to declare that Jesus is Lord and invite others to submit to His authority.
Prayer: God of truth and power. Thank You for Jesus who has been given all authority in heaven and earth. Help me to live each day under the command of my Master, and help me to be clear as I explain His authority to my friends and colleagues. May I never agree that Jesus is one amongst many teachers, for I know that His authority is supreme over all others. Help me to live humbly as His servant so that others will see that accepting His authority brings love, peace and true freedom to be the people He designed them to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Jesus had just survived a violent attack. Townspeople from Nazareth had just tried to kill Him for declaring Himself as God's Messiah who had come to save those with faith. And He said that if Jews would not believe, salvation was open to the Gentiles. His authority was so powerful that they could not ignore His words: but they hated Him for it. So they hustled Him out of the synagogue and tried to throw Him off a nearby cliff (Luke 4:16-30). In His home town, Jesus had needed to be quite pointed: He was the boss, and could never accept the patronage of those who wanted to make Him their dependant celebrity.
A week had passed, and Jesus had travelled 20 miles to teach in Capernaum's synagogue alongside Lake Galilee. The crowds wanted to be taught; they were eager to hear Jesus explain God's Word. There was no doubt in their minds that His words 'rang true' ... they had the inner impact of being authentic. While totally agreeing with the Scriptures, Jesus made their Bible come to life. They knew that He was speaking the truth, and had the right to say it. And the people liked what they heard.
Someone who is good and transparently authoritative will naturally attract supporters and admirers. The larger, more cosmopolitan fishing and trading port of Capernaum was different from the smaller, more rural, Nazareth. Along the lakeside, it was easier to get lost in the crowd, to be an admirer without being a disciple: it was easier to hear the truth and yet think no action was required. His authority was recognised but they were not going to let Him get close enough to change their lives.
That is how many people think about Jesus today. He seems good from a distance, and His words sound wise. But many people are reluctant to get too involved, perhaps secretly fearing that if Jesus is right He will command their attention and call them to follow Him. Today, the words and life of Jesus are admired by many, who even dignify Him with titles such as 'teacher' or 'prophet'. His words can be added comfortably into many religious soups; but when people realise He has the authority of being God the Son ... they either have to give their lives to Him, or they try to get Him out of their lives. Real authority is never neutral. Authority demands obedience. Therefore rejecting the authority of Jesus invites His judgement. That is why it is important to declare that Jesus is Lord and invite others to submit to His authority.
Prayer: God of truth and power. Thank You for Jesus who has been given all authority in heaven and earth. Help me to live each day under the command of my Master, and help me to be clear as I explain His authority to my friends and colleagues. May I never agree that Jesus is one amongst many teachers, for I know that His authority is supreme over all others. Help me to live humbly as His servant so that others will see that accepting His authority brings love, peace and true freedom to be the people He designed them to be. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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