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The entire chapter here in Luke 4 captures the struggle for power and authority. Jesus’ temptation, obviously, was Satan’s attempt at derailing Jesus by appealing to His authority and power. Jesus resists, and His ministry begins. We will get back to this in a minute.
We read that Jesus enters in Capernaum…
And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbath; 32 and they were amazed at His teaching, for His message was with authority.
Luke 4:31-32 NASB
There’s that word again – authority. His authority even in just speaking a message was clearly seen and felt by the people. They had not heard anyone speak with such authority.
“Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are – the Holy One of God!” 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst of the people, he came out of him without doing him any harm.
Luke 4:34-35 NASB
Ironically, by resisting the temptation of power and authority from Satan, Jesus’ ministry wields the power and authority of the Holy Spirit which is over all things. The demons recognize and identify Jesus as God’s Son, however, the people seem to be ignorant of this fact. There is not a response of faith recorded here by Luke, so what is the point of this event?
His power through God’s Spirit exemplifies the very message He hopes to proclaim. The parallels could not be any more clear. Jesus comes with power and authority to break every chain and set us free. In this story, we see this spiritual principle illustrated in a physical way.
The demons try to thrust the man to the ground, no doubt trying to take his life, and Jesus stands between with all authority and power. Take note: it is only the Savior who can stand between us and our chains and call out with ultimate authority, “Be quiet and come out of him!” In a spiritual sense, Jesus rushed in with all power and authority said to his enemies, “This one is mine!”
The people are shocked. They have never seen anything like this in their life.
And amazement came upon them all, and they began talking with one another saying, “What is this message? For with authority and power, He commands the unclean spirits and they come out.”
Luke 4:36 NASB
“What is this message?” they ask. Surely there is a message contained within these powerful actions? We know, of course, there was. Their amazement drew them in, but they searched for more. Isn’t that powerful? As human beings created in God’s image, we marvel at physical works, but we know deep down there must be more to this life than just the physical. Their hearts were stirred to search deeper into this man that commands the spiritual realm with such power and authority.
So, I ask you today, where do you need to be set free, and where are you searching deeper for His message? When Jesus sets the captives free, the hope is that they will search with great intensity to KNOW the One who has spoken with all power and authority. Are you searching? Do you know Him? Have you been set free?