ALL POWERS OBEYED HIM

Text: Luke 4:31-44

All powers obeyed Jesus. All forces of nature; wind, waves, seas, oceans, trees, demons, sicknesses and diseases all bowed to his authority. When he left his home town, he didn't waste time to continue his ministry. He went on to Capernaum and began to preach in the synagogues. On this occasion, one of the worshippers began to manifest. He can't resist the authority in Jesus. He had to bow to the greater power. Sicknesses scampered as soon as he touched the afflicted ones. 

These people are seeing a very strange thing today. They asked like the apostles "what manner of man is this?"; He teaches with authority, not like any of the usual teachers. Why? It's because something supernatural is taking place. Never have they seen demons talking and confessing. The greater one is here today. He is the God made man; Jesus the son of the living God. He's received authority from the father to do the works he is doing. He has the father's express permission and warrant to carry out the deliverance and healing ministry. This is the kingdom of God. In that kingdom there is no sicknesses nor disease. Demons have no say because they have been defeated. For this very reason Jesus was made manifest; to destroy the works of Satan. 

One thing is surprising though. How come the worshippers never realized who Jesus was except the demon possessed man? This is food for thought. We humans have our eyes always open but in reality we are blind. We could hardly see what is going on around us under our very nose. The ministry of Jesus clearly highlights the theme of the demons. God never wants us to overlook this important aspect of the spiritual realm. Satan and his cohorts are fallen spirit beings who have a highly organized kingdom aimed at stealing, killing and destroying. We must never make the mistake of thinking that they are non existent. They are the real enemies. They are the agents of all things evil. Sicknesses and diseases all emanate from this kingdom.

However, Jesus has received a greater authority than the demons. He is the commanding power, the master, connoisseur and leading expert in this area. No one can question his authority because he is authority himself. This also is the authority of the believer. The power to deliver, heal and save has been given to us. It is the same power Jesus received at river Jordan that enabled him to do all things. This same power, the apostles received at Pentecost. This is the same power we receive when we are baptized in the holy ghost.  This  goes beyond the natural. It first burns up the affiliation to sin and then sets one up on a higher pedestal to reign above the demons and demolish all their evil works. 

Dear believer, all things are yours! God has given us this same authority he gave to Jesus. All we need do is to tarry in prayer like Jesus to be rejuvenated and reinvigorated always. May the Lord open up the eyes of our inner man that we may see. In Jesus name, Amen