THE AUTHORITY of JESUS

THE AUTHORITY of JESUS
by David Wilkerson

After Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, His listeners sat
in awe. Scripture says, "The people were astonished at his doctrine:
for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes"
(Matthew 7:28-29). The Greek word for authority in this verse means
"with mastery, power, liberty; as one in control." Jesus' listeners
were saying, in essence, "This man speaks as if He knows what
He is talking about."

Note that this verse does not say Christ spoke "with authority,"
but rather "as one having authority." It is one thing to speak with
what we think of as authority-in a loud, boisterous voice, seeming
to have total control. But in God's kingdom, authority is something
altogether different. It's something you have, not something you
simply speak.

The authority Jesus wielded shook up the entire religious system.
Jewish leaders kept coming to Him demanding to know where He
had obtained His authority: "By what authority doest thou these
things? And who gave thee this authority?" (Matthew 21:23). Jesus
answered them point blank, "I'm not telling you" (see verses 24
and 27). Our Lord knew He didn't have to answer to the devil about
where He got His spiritual authority.

Christ had this authority not only in the pulpit, but also over all
satanic powers. When He entered a synagogue in Capernaum,
He was accosted by a man possessed by a demonic spirit. The
spirit cried out, "Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou
Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us?" (Mark 1:24).

Now, Jesus knew this synagogue didn't need another sermon or
interpretation of the Law. It didn't need a how-to seminar or some
exciting new program. It needed a person with authority-someone
who could chase the devil out of their midst, and cleanse both the
possessed man and the powerless church.

Christ used His authority to do just that. Scripture says, "Jesus
rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him" (1:25).
In modern terms, Jesus said, "Shut up, devil, and get out of here."
And Satan fled. "The unclean spirit . . . came out of him" (1:26).
Once again, the people marveled, saying, "What thing is this? . . .
For with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and
they do obey him" (1:27).

If ever the Church of Jesus Christ needed His power and authority,
the time is now!

-Source-
http://davidwilkersontoday.blogspot.co.nz/2015/08/the-authority-of-jesus.html

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