Joel M Bradshaw

31And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. 33And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 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.” 35But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36And 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!” 37And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.–Luke 4, with emphasis

The Greek word for ‘authority’ is also translated as ‘dominion, right, power, and control’. This particular word is used 29 times in the New Testament, the vast majority describing Jesus. His teaching accomplished things. It was the new sheriff in town. By his word, Jesus showed control over situations and scenarios. He therefore brought needed change and hope.

God’s Word has authority and power. It works from the inside out in your life. The Holy Spirit who authored the Bible works in you through the Bible (Hebrews 4:12). I have seen this over and over again in biblical counseling. The counselee simply reads a passage from the Bible and begins to experience God immediately going to work in their thoughts and feelings about their situation. Don’t believe me?

If you are facing depression, read these two verses and let them sink in.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:17-18)

Here’s one for my anxious friends. I use Psalm 13 a lot. You’ll read depression in there, too.

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God.

Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. (Psalm 13)

We are not surprised that Jesus taught with authority or that his words had power. They still do.–JMB