Power and Strength

 Luke 4: 31-37

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

³¹ Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. ³² They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.

³³ In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, ³⁴ “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

³⁵ “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

³⁶ All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” ³⁷ And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.

 In this passage, we see Jesus confidently and sternly dismissing the impure spirit, much to the amazement of the onlookers. Not only were the words of Jesus fraught with authority and power, so were his actions.  Would that we could have the courageous power of Jesus to deal with the demons of our time and locale, to speak with his authority.  It takes time with Jesus in prayer and reflection as well as with association with others who wish to act this way,  to develop a sense of confidence and fearlessness.  Most of us are not there yet; so let us pray that our timidity fade and we become strong instruments to carry on the work of Jesus.

Bro. Rene