That’s a good question, isn’t it? Sometimes things that happen leaves us wondering, just who makes some of these dumb decisions. But then, in reality we know that anyone who obtains a high position of authority couldn’t really be that stupid. We know there is more going on than meets the eye.
But that’s not the kind of authority I want to share about today. Rather than wasting time on some political questions, I would like to let you know about real authority.
It had become Jesus’ habit to go into the Synagogues on the Sabbath and teach. In Mark 1:21-28 we are told that the people were astonished at His teaching because he didn’t speak as the scribes ( those considered to be the theologians of the day because it was their job to copy the scriptures. Because of their continual copying they were considered authorities in the teaching of the word). They recognized that He taught with authority. He did because He didn’t just copy scripture, He was its author (inspiration). He taught with authority because He was the authority.
In verse 23 of this same passage, we are told that in the congregation was a demon-possessed man. Why would a demon want to be in the Synagogue? We aren’t told in the scripture, but I suspect that he wanted to keep tabs on what was being taught so he knew how to counter-attack. We aren’t told that but it makes sense to me. We are engaged in spiritual warfare, right? Anyway, when Jesus spoke with His authorshipauthority the demon in this man immediately knew who He was. It’s remarkable that man can’t recognize their Savior, the Son of God, very God in the flesh, but the devil and his cohorts know who He is immediately.
The demon in the man said, ““Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” See what I mean? It had no problem in recognizing Jesus the Messiah. Jesus simply answered, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” Powerful, authoritative and straight to the point. “Shut up and get out!” Without uttering another word, or performing any modern-day theatrics associated with demon extraction we currently see, the demon simply obeyed. He left because he knew he was up against the final authority.
In addition to showing authority over the demons and in His words, He also demonstrated authority over sickness (see Matthew 8 to name one of many), over nature (see Luke 8:22-25) and over sin (Mark 2:5-12). He had raised at least three people back to life during His ministry, but He commanded the final authority over death when He rose from the grave to never die again. Jesus had authority over every aspect of life, and we have the privilege of serving this great King of all authority.
To answer the question posed by the title of this article, Jesus is in charge and He has graciously and effectively proven His authority to be in charge. I suppose we should bring the title home by further asking, who is in charge … of your life? You see, as all powerful as our Lord is, He is not in charge of your life until you allow Him to be. But isn’t He able to do whatever He wants to do? Can’t he make so and so to allow Him control? Of course He could. But He wants free-will worshippers, not robots who can’t help but do otherwise.
I’ve heard people say things like, “I don’t want to serve a god that would create a lake of fire to eternally punish people who don’t come to Him.” Don’t worry, you don’t and that is why you could be going there. I can say that so flippantly because I know that escaping that place is very easy for you and me. You see, all we have to do is to believe that Jesus is the Christ, and confess Him with our mouths (see Romans 10:9-10) and we will be saved and dedicated to let Him be in charge from now on. Easypeasy for us (but not for Him – He had to give His life to pay the price for us to be saved).
Jesus had demonstrated that He has all authority in everything. But you have to allow Him to be in charge of your life. It won’t guarantee that everything will go easy for you from now on. In fact, I will be the first to tell you that life may get a little bit harder. However, with Jesus in charge, you will never have to go through anything alone again. All you need to do is let Him be in charge.
— Jerry D. Ousley is the author of “Soul Challenge”, “Soul Journey”, “Ordeal”, “The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional” and his first novel “The Shoe Tree.” Newer books include “Finality” and “Dividing God’s Church.” Visit our website at spiritbread. com to download these and more completely free of charge.