Jesus Speaks with Authority

Note from today’s Bible reading: Luke 3-4

When Jesus came to His hometown of Nazareth, He visited the synagogue on the Sabbath and read from the book of Isaiah (Luke 4:14-17): “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me…” (Luke 4:18). After reading this, He sat down, then said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).

At first they were “speaking well of Him,” amazed that these words were coming from “Joseph’s son” (Luke 4:22). However, Jesus knew they would quickly change their opinion of Him. He said, “No doubt you will quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! […] Truly I say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown” (Luke 4:23-24).

As Jesus continued, their amazement turned to anger. They were “filled with rage” and intended to “throw Him down the cliff” outside the city (Luke 4:28-29). Yet Jesus passed through their midst and went to Capernaum. While He taught there, they recognized that “His message was with authority” (Luke 4:32).

We need to have the same recognition today. If not, we will just become upset anytime the Lord teaches or commands anything that is different from what we want to do or believe. But if we recognize that He has authority, we will simply submit to His will.

So remember that Jesus speaks with authority. His message is not one for us to choose whether we like it or dislike it; we simply need to obey it. Let us be committed to following Him as our Lord and doing what He has instructed us to do.