By Whose Authority
Epiphany 4, January 28, 2007
By Whose Authority?
Text: Luke 4:31–44
Other Lessons: Psalm 71:1–6 (7–11); Jeremiah 1:4–10 (17–19); 1 Corinthians 12:31b–13:13
Sermon Theme: By his Word, Jesus showed his divine authority to heal all men.
Goal: That the hearer’s faith is dynamic, anchored in Jesus, the authoritative messenger and message of God’s love.
Introduction: Authority. Who has it? And to what extent may they exercise it? Politically, these questions seemingly get answered according to who occupies what political office. In the United States, the founding fathers divided the nation’s governing authority into three branches of government—the executive, legislative, and judicial—each one to provide checks and balances on the others so that no branch should become the sole rule of authority. And, it is the people’s voice and vote that grants them authority to act in their respective offices. It’s a unique system—one that has served us well for almost 250 years. But, what happens when even those authorities get challenged by forces outside of government—anarchy, lawlessness, a government of one, as there was in Iraq? Obviously, it ends up not being good for the nation or its people. Now, why am I talking about authority?
The religious authorities questioned Jesus’ authority because they were the religious leaders of Israel. So, they naturally wanted to know By whose authority Jesus said and did the things he said and did. Obviously, Jesus’ divine authority was either not recognized, or dismissed as fraudulent, by the ruling authorities. But isn’t that just like us? I mean, one of mankind’s worst faults is recognizing proper authority. Jesus’ authority is still questioned here on earth. Many still do not recognize His divine authority to judge. And, many still simply dismiss the truth that He indeed still has authority to judge. But, we who believe can thank God who identifies who exactly Jesus is, through the written Word. Thank God, indeed, because …
By His Word, Jesus Showed His Divine Authority to Heal All Men.
I. HOW DID HE DO THAT? Well, Jesus showed authority over demons.
A. Demons are real beings. Aside from popular folklore, demons are angels—but angels who have rebelled against their Creator, God.
1. Thus, they are Satan’s servants who—at least at that point in history—brutally took over the lives of many people, even making them cry out in distress. Listen again to verse 33: "And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice," Luke 4:33
2. Even more interesting and a point not to miss, they also understood Jesus’ divinity and his mission. Verse 34 and 41 speak to this: 34 "“Ha! 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.”" 41 "And demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ."
We do not need to belabor this point accept to note as well Jesus’ authority over them.
B. Demons are no match for Jesus. With just a word they must obey—do precisely what Jesus commands.
1. Jesus didn’t beg the demons to be quiet, or to leave; he simply said “Be quiet” and “Come out of him.” What else could they do but obey the word of their creator? So, as Luther poignantly points out Jesus authority over even the Devil himself in that great Reformation hymn, “A Mighty Fortress.” “One little word can fell him.” He ordered them out, and they left!
2. And, when they left, the possessed person could resume a normal life. There was no condemnation here on Jesus’ part that asked how a person came to be possessed. He addresses the demonic directly. They are the cause.
3. So, when they come out, the people who saw it knew immediately the kind of authority and power Jesus displayed in expelling the demons. Even so, it does not appear that they yet grasped by whose authority Jesus did these things.
4. There is a question that often arises when bad things happen among us, in our own day. That question is this: Is God in charge or is Satan? The obvious answer is—God! Okay, so Jesus reveals God’s authority over the demonic. What else?
II. Jesus showed authority over illness.
A. Jesus had authority to heal the sick.
1. Note well the choice of words used to describe the event as Jesus cures Peter’s mother-in-law of a high fever. "And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them." (Luke 4:39, ESV)
Now fellas, don’t think that you can use this to cure what ails your mother-in-law. I just thought it best to make this perfectly clear. You do not possess that kind of authority, and you never will.
2. But, the authority and power Jesus had, that could and did work to manifest God’s glory in the very lives of many stricken human beings. Imagine, for a moment, how the people came, how Jesus touched them, spoke a word over them, and sent them home healed. Does that not sound very familiar to what happens in Baptism? Indeed it does! Thank God for that authority and power now active in your life. Think also about the words each of you receive today from the Lord: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.”
B. As we see Jesus exercising his healing authority.
1. We see it combined with His powerful word such as this: “He rebuked the fever.”
2. And, we see it combined with His personal loving touch of grace and his hand of compassion: "Now …, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them." Is this not why we are so bold to bring our loved ones here to the baptismal fount? Please say Yes, so that I may give the Amen in praise to God.
Again, Jesus reveals God’s total and complete authority and power in the midst of mankind. Demons and fevers are no match for God. Now, I know there are many questions raised these days about Jesus’ authority to heal. But may it never happen that you and I should ever forget what that revealing of authority and power is all about. It’s all about fulfilling God’s prophetic word. This is why …
III. Jesus showed authority in his message.
A. Jesus is not after fame. If He were, He would not have commanded the demons to be quiet. He is not after notoriety as a healer. If He were, He would not have healed ALL who were brought to him. But these acts, as precious as they are, especially to those touched by them actually points to something we dare not miss lest we also fixate on only the observable. No, when Jesus speaks it is not for show or fame, it is for you and me and all other sinners. You see, we are the ones who need help, and need it desperately. And that is precisely why He came to us, the human race, and us personally and individually. He is made known to us by the authoritative word of God.
B. Jesus is ho logos, “the word” the very WORD of GOD through whom all things that are came into being. So, how very blessed we all are that He still reaches out with His gentle hands to embrace each and every one of us—even now, today. Receiving His embrace again we are assured of yet one more miracle of His Love.
D. John says it so well in the first chapter of his Gospel message: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, ESV)
Conclusion: It is by that same authority that you and I now stand before God as sinners forgiven and redeemed. It is by that same authority that you and I now are enabled to speak His Word of truth. It is by that same authority that you have heard the Word today. God be praised. What authority is that: By his Word, Jesus showed his divine authority to heal all men.
Amen!