“Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. 32 They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. 33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. 36 All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” 37 And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.” — Luke 4:31-37

Jesus, The Amazing Teacher

It’s not uncommon to hear people lament about their experience in church growing up as…“boring.” This particular day in Capernaum would not have been boring. And the truth is simple… Jesus was not boring! He was in every sense of the word, AMAZING. People hung on his every word. They’d never heard anyone speak or teach like him before… with such “authority”.  Reactions to Jesus were strong, one way or the other. He spoke with authority, declaring the word of God in a way far different from the puppet rabbi’s (think, Charlie Brown’s teacher… “wa wa, wa wa wa, waaaa”).

I’m convinced, if you think Jesus is boring, you simply don’t know him! If you’re not yet astonished and amazed with Jesus… keep looking, keep reading, keep listening. Don’t stop until you hear and see the life-altering truth and authority of Jesus.

Jesus, The Exorcist

When Jesus stepped on the scene…he sent shockwaves through the spiritual realm. The Lord had arrived and he put demons on notice. We see in this story that demonic powers are no match for Jesus. Jesus commanded the demon (literal trans.) “Be muzzled!” “Come out!” And the demon had no choice. The good news is that Jesus has all authority and power over evil and he is still on a mission of love to liberate captives. Be encouraged, friends, and make sure you’re on Team Jesus.

And though this world, with devils filled,

Should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed

His truth to triumph through us;

The prince of Darkness grim,

We tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure,

For lo, his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

- Martin Luther, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”