Starting today in our daily meditations, we will examine all the acts of supernatural power that the Lord Jesus performed while He was on earth. Today, let's focus on Christ’s authority to cast out an evil spirit from a man:
31Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people .32They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. 33In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34“Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 35“Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. 36All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power, he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” 37And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area (Luke 4:31-37, emphasis added).
Luke’s focus is to show us the power and authority that Jesus brought against Satan's kingdom. In the passage above, Luke uses the word "authority" twice (vs. 32 and 36) to describe Jesus' ministry. I believe there was more to His speaking with authority than simply shouting commands, for Christ did not have to support His message by quoting previous Rabbis. The Lord did not need to bolster His teaching in any way, for He had and has authority within Himself: “You have heard that it was said…But I say to you…” (Matthew 5:38-39). He preached God’s dynamic Word, which possesses inherent power. Not only does the Word of God carry authority, but the Speaker, the Lord, also embodies authority and power.
A person with spiritual authority communicates with clarity and conviction that resonates with the heart and will. Jesus was said to possess authority and power: "With authority and power, he commands impure spirits, and they come out!" (v. 36). Exousia (authority) represents the permission or right to act; it signifies the entitlement to perform certain actions. The other term translated into English as power (v. 36) is the Greek word Dunamis, which is the origin of the English word dynamite. This word means to possess capability or substantial power. It refers to intrinsic strength. Exousia can be compared to a traffic cop at an intersection directing vehicles. He has the government's authority backing him to issue commands, but if you do not comply with his directives, he has dunamis (power) in the gun secured to his waist to enforce compliance! Demons recognize this authority and power and must obey.
Let’s understand this vital truth about authority: Christ has delegated authority to all believers to continue His ministry (Matthew 28:18-20). Exousia (authority) is often used by a king to confer his authority or permission to carry out a specific action in his realm. While there are different kinds of authority, all are spiritual in nature. Authority is intangible; it cannot be seen. However, authority must be accompanied by power. Without power to support it, there is no true authority. Jesus gave the seventy disciples both power and authority to drive out demons and heal sicknesses. As a result, the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name" (Luke 10:17). To illustrate, in any business office worldwide, authority is exercised using power. For example, your boss exerts authority over you by offering rewards for corrective actions, such as salary increases or promotions to higher positions. Additionally, there is coercive power; that is, the boss can use the threat of dismissal or a pay cut to influence your performance.
Authentic spiritual leadership is never imposed upon the will of those being led. A person exhibiting authentic spiritual leadership should never need to claim the title of leader for themselves. Proper spiritual authority is neither coercive nor does it cause anyone to feel inferior; rather, it respects moral freedom. Jesus demonstrated authentic spiritual authority in His leadership. He never imposed His will on people. His leadership style embodies true agape love, inspiring a desire in those who heard His words to emulate Him. Authentic spiritual leadership and authority can only be exercised when one has earned the right through the strength of their character and the presence of the Holy Spirit in their life. Keith Thomas
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Taken from the complete study in the Gospel of Luke, study 7, Jesus’ Authority over Demons, found in the All Studiesbox on the Home Page.
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