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Jesus has great
authority, far more than we comprehend. He moves on His own schedule,
independent of what human society thinks or expects. He has
authority over all people, and over demons. His unique authority becomes
apparent to all who listen to Him. 1
Thessalonians 5:2-3; Luke
4:32, 34-35, & 37
So
how do these passages tell us we respond to that authority? Three ways.
First,
we are to be aware of Jesus’ authority and how it transcends social norms 1
Thessalonians 5:3. In other words, don’t
be distracted from Jesus by the world.
This is not the only place in scripture we see this. The same principle
underlies, is illustrated by, or is expressly stated in Genesis
6:6-7:16; Psalm
37; Sirach
2:18; Matthew
6; and Romans
12:1-2.
Second,
we are to wait upon, conform to Jesus’ will and schedule. Because He knows all
and operates in perfect love, His will/timing will result in far better things
than ours. Psalm
27:14. See also Proverbs
3:5-8; Sirach
2; Isaiah
55.
Third,
we are to be alert to His direction, bold in following it and encourage each
other while we await His return and do what He calls us to. 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6, 9-11;
Psalm 27: 1 & 14.
Concerning times and seasons, brothers and
sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. For you yourselves
know very well that the day of the Lord
will come like a thief at night. When people are saying, “Peace and security,”
then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman,
and they will not escape.
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in
darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. For all of you are
children of the light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of
darkness. Therefore, let
us not sleep as the rest do,
but
let us stay alert and sober. For
God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus
Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live
together with him. Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you
do.
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear? The LORD is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?
One thing I ask of the LORD; this I seek:
To dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life, That I may gaze
on the loveliness of the LORD and contemplate his temple.
I believe that I shall see the bounty of
the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait
for the LORD with courage; be stouthearted, and wait for the LORD.
A great prophet has arisen in our midst
and God has visited his people.
Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of
Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority.
In the synagogue there was a man with the
spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, “What have you to
do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you
are–the Holy One of God!”
Jesus rebuked him and said, “Be quiet!
Come out of him!”
Then the demon threw the man down in front
of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed
and said to one another,
“What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands
the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And news of him spread everywhere
in the surrounding region.
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