The Joy of Glory

Luke 4:14-37 (click here)
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.

And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…”

…they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.

And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” (Luke 4:14, 17-18, 32, and 36)

Reflection
Power and Authority…

Jesus went about in the power of the Holy Spirit, he claimed the Holy Spirit was upon him, he taught with authority, his actions confirmed his authority.

All that he said and did exuded the very power and authority of God.

What was the response?
Astonishment.
Confusion.
Questions.
Fear.

One feels all of these things when encountering Jesus.

You know that you have come into contact with one who is wholly other! He’s different from anyone else and everything else. He is wholly other because he is the holy one! Have you felt this? Have you felt the reality of who Jesus is?

We cannot say that we haven’t had the opportunity to encounter Jesus in power and authority because we did not live at the same time as he did. We cannot claim a lack of evidence concerning his power and authority because we did not see his works with our own eyes.

No. We are excuseless because we have his words.

His words, not just his works, are full of the power and authority of God! No one ever spoke like this man (John 7:46)! When you read his words…do you feel him speaking with authority and power?

What is your response?
Astonishment.
Confusion.
Questions.
Fear.

One feels all these things when encountering Jesus. Have you encountered him today? If not, read his words again…but not as mere words on a page…no. Read them slowly, prayerfully, asking the Lord to speak to you through them with all the power and authority they actually carry.

Read Jesus’ words, and encounter him!

*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.