Authority
by Anne Hansen
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The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, ‘What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him’ (Mark 1:27).
Read Mark 1:21–28
A schoolteacher injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. It fit under his shirt and was not noticeable at all. On the first day of term, still with the cast under his shirt, he found himself assigned to the toughest students in school. Walking confidently into the rowdy classroom, he opened the window as wide as possible and then busied himself with desk work. When a strong breeze made his tie flap, he took the desk stapler and stapled the tie to his chest. He had no trouble with discipline that term.
Jesus was a great teacher. He taught with authority from God. Jesus had personal experience with his Heavenly Father and the kingdom of God. He was able to enforce the power of nature to acknowledge his sovereignty. In Jesus’ day, there were a lot of religious teachers who taught about God’s word, but Jesus came clearly knowing what God wanted to say to his people. Jesus, being part of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), came to earth with firsthand knowledge of God’s will. In Jesus, we find God himself proclaiming his word to his people. There was no uncertainty, there were no questions, and his testimony was clear and to the point.
Then a man with a demon came shouting about who Jesus was. This was truth, not blasphemy, but Jesus didn’t need acknowledgement from a demon – he has ruling authority over Satan and so commanded it to be quiet, and it came screaming out of the man. Now, that is authority! The ultimate authority over death and Satan came on the cross. Jesus battled Satan and won the victory of eternal life and forgiveness for us. Jesus rose from the dead and reigns in heaven with his Father – our Father!
Defeating Satan is what Jesus does best!
Lord Jesus, you have ultimate authority over all, yet you chose to come to me to listen, love and forgive me. Thank you for being my Saviour. Amen.
Anne Hansen has worked as the Lutheran Tract Mission Development Officer for 19 years. She is married to Pastor Mark Hansen (who serves in Noosa Qld), and they have three grown children – Jonah, Christian and Emma. Previously, Anne was a Lutheran school teacher, having taught at Good Shepherd Lutheran in Noosa Qld, St Marks in Mount Barker SA, and Golden Grove Lutheran School in SA. Anne says she loves serving Jesus! Her other roles have included pastor’s kid, Lutheran Youth of South Australia (LYSA) president, Lutheran Youth Encounter (USA) events director, nanny in Wales, backpacker through Europe, puppeteer, musician (touring the USA for two years), Know Your Bible (KYB) leader, Mainly Music leader and children’s ministry leader.
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