The Devotional - 129 - Authority

Thought for the Day – 129 – Authority

Proverbs 10:6 – Remember those “Lil Abner” comic strips in the Sunday morning paper? Little birds, bees and musical notes over the heads of pleasant people and storm clouds and rain over those with an ill temper! I wonder; did Al Capp have Proverbs 10:6 in mind when he developed his thought provocative characters?

  

Comments and challenges

Mark 2:1-12 – We have studied this portion of scripture recently in church and one thing comes to mind. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17”. So this is simply to agree with the spiritually profitable instruction already provided.

Have you ever been in a house where the numbers of people were so great that no one else could get in? No doubt you have been to celebrations of weddings, graduations or even funerals where the number of people exceeded the capacity of the main building so the event spilled out to areas outside the house. This is common and no doubt common in the days of the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth. People however were not coming to an event to just be at a particular celebration. They came for at least two other reasons. One: to see Jesus Christ; or two: to be healed of some infirmity.

As the events unfold the commotion of people on the roof does not seem to bother anyone (it would bother me) especially if I owned the house. Jesus was preaching the Word to these people and they were listening and I am sure we have heard how the intensity of the message was so powerful that no one understood what was going on, on the roof above them. Whatever the case, all of these “what if” thoughts are simply distractions to main topic, also the event is important to God because it is found in the gospels of Matthew and Luke too.

So just what is the main topic? Mark 2:10 – “But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”. The Greek word used in this passage as in the other references is exousia and it is packed with supernatural definition, but to bring it in terms of understanding the word “authority” is the best word to express a personal need of faith in these verses 5-11.

Faith believes in the “authority of God” that intervenes in human life and forgives SIN. There is NO OTHER WAY to come to God. Hebrews 11:6 says this; “But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God), for he who comes to God must believe that He is (God), and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Tearing off a roof or whatever you might do is just a means to an end. Jesus has the authority to forgive SIN. In fact; He has forgiven your sin and mine already, the need of forgiveness is completed. John 19:30 – So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “it is finished!” and bowing His head He gave up His spirit.

The latter half of John 1:29 says this; “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” life in Christ begins with His death for those who believe, but life in Christ does not believe in the DEAD. Jesus is RISEN from the dead. John 20:11-12 – But Mary (Magdalene) stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. (Jesus was no longer dead or in the tomb).

John 20:15 – “Woman, why are you weeping?” again in John 20:16 “Mary” and her tears of sorrow turned to tears of JOY (can you imagine? I can hardly hold my own composure) this was nearly two thousand years ago and my emotions go through the ROOF when I read these words. “Mary turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” a Hebrew word of endearment for teacher. Jesus is the TEACHER with AUTHORITY.