Scripture for the Day
(December 9, 2020)
They were completely amazed at His teaching; because He was teaching them as one having [God-given] authority, and not as the scribes. (Mark 1:22, Amplified Bible)
Have you ever had a teacher that was just book learned compared to a teacher who had experience in what they were teaching? There is a big difference!!! An example would be a teacher that is teaching about war, that has never been to war, compared to a teacher that has been on the battlefield. Another example would be a seminary professor that has a doctorate degree in theology but does not know the Lord.
Jesus taught with authority and the people were amazed! He knew God and He knew the authority that had been given Him. He was not like the scribes and Pharisees who were super religious but had no God delegated authority. You can tell when someone has been with God!
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority he commandeth even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” (Mark 1:27)
The Greek word used for authority is “exosusia” which means power, force, strength, or mastery. There is no connotation here of doubt, weakness, or skepticism in this word. It is a sureness of belief and a confidence of who is in charge. I was talking to a friend recently about my belief that we Christians have more authority than we think. This area of South Georgia that we live in was recently ravaged by storms and tornadoes and I asked him if he recalled how Jesus dealt with storms. Do you remember? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark4:39-40)
My friend asked me how I prayed in the middle of those storms. I told him I probably shouldn’t tell him because he would probably freak out if he heard how I prayed. Call me crazy, but I believe we have been delegated the same power and authority of the Holy Ghost that Jesus operated in and as such we should be following His example. If Jesus rebuked the storm, we should rebuke the storm. If Jesus healed the sick, we should heal the sick. If Jesus cast out demons, we should cast out demons. You cannot do those things with a milk-toast wimpy and doubting attitude. You have to know in whom you believe and know that you have been given that authority. Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases. (Luke 9:1) Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:17-20)
