14 January 2020 - he spoke with authority

Today's Readings

(Audio)

The people were astonished at his teaching,
for he taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes.

There is something different about the way Jesus teaches. No one before or after him speaks with the same authority. It is no particular defect of the scribes. Not even great philosophers and founders of religions can claim the authority which is natural and always present in the voice of Jesus.

The voice of Jesus makes unclean spirits afraid.

he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us?
I know who you are–the Holy One of God!”

The spirits know they must be subject to this voice.  It is a voice which can bind and compel demons.

Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet!  Come out of him!”
The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him.

Though this voice has the power to bind demons it chooses not to exert power over men and women but rather to invite us. It is this authority which Simon, Andrew, James, and John hear when Jesus says "Come after me". Yet they were not compelled. They could hear the truth attested in the words he spoke. But the response was theirs to make.

Unclean spirits must obey him. But he only ever invites us. The choice to come and follow him is ours. He will only unleash his power in us to the degree that we accept his invitation. To come to the one whose words are truth and whose voice is power can be intimidating. Nevertheless, we should come. He has come to destroy the works of the evil one (see First John 3:8) but to seek and to save the lost (see Luke 19:10).

We have needs and desires that for which we pray and wait with longing in our hearts. The best thing to do with such intentions is to entrust them to the authority of the LORD.

I will give him to the LORD for as long as he lives;
neither wine nor liquor shall he drink,
and no razor shall ever touch his head.”

Even the detraction and lack of cooperation from others will not ultimately hinder us if we are able to leave our intentions in the hands of God.

Do not think your handmaid a ne’er-do-well;
my prayer has been prompted by my deep sorrow and misery.”
Eli said, “Go in peace,
and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”

May our hearts exult in him!