“So he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he began to teach the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because he spoke with authority.
Now in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice,“Ha! Leave us alone, Jesus the Nazarene! Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him: “Silence! Come out of him!” Then, after the demon threw the man down in their midst, he came out of him without hurting him. They were all amazed and began to say to one another, “What’s happening here? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” So the news about him spread into all areas of the region.”
(NET)
The next words we see Jesus speaking are recorded from Capernaum. Whilst teaching in the synagogue, Jesus had an interaction with a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon. The demon recognised Jesus and said,
“Ha! Leave us alone, Jesus the Nazarene! Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”
Very simply, and not with not too many words, Jesus commands the demon to leave. We read that He said,
“Silence! Come out of him!”
Just five words.
“Silence! Come out of him!”
The crowds were all amazed and recognised the authority and power that Jesus had.
Would a liar have done this? Perhaps if they were in league with the demon. However, when we read Matthew 12.22-32 we see that this is not the work nor the words of a liar.
Would a lunatic have done this? They may have tried to do this but surely they would not have been successful. If they had bought into the delusion that they were indeed the Messiah they may have tried to exorcise demons. Would it have worked? No.
We’re left then, again, with the conclusion that these are the words of the Lord. The words of Jesus truly do have authority and power.
For you and for me, today take comfort and encouragement from some of the things the Lord says about you with His authority and power. Read these passages, see these principles, and accept that you are;
Known – Jeremiah 1.5, Psalm 139.16
Loved – John 3.16, 17.23
Set apart – John 17.17-19, 2 Timothy 2.21
Called – Romans 1.1, Ephesians 2.10
Forgiven – 1 John 2.12, James 5.15
Accepted – Isaiah 55.1, John 6.35
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James Travis 