40 DAYS in the GOSPEL Sample

HE HAS THE POWER

"And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as one of the scribes." (Mark 1:22)

There never seems to be a shortage of people with good ideas. Talk and strategies on how to handle the various complexities of life are lying all around, and more are coming in every day.

Having a constant flow of this can make us kind of numb to it, and we begin to tune it out because in the midst of it all, my life continues pretty much as it always has. The whole world seems to just keep moving in the same general direction, new ideas or not.

Jesus was different. The people of Israel were no strangers to talk and Bible debate. Their scribes did that kind of thing for a living. Jesus came with something new. Authority. Jesus did not talk about the seemingly unbeatable realities of sickness and demonic oppression. He told them what to do, and they obeyed Him! This lent weight and authority to all of His teachings which the people recognized immediately.

The same is true today. The gospel is built on the authority of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. Everything He says hits much harder and demands to be considered because it is being spoken by a man who defeated death, hell, and the grave. That is why Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is celebrated by millions around the world every year. This is something new!

Not only that but Jesus’ words are still making things happen, with authority, in the lives of those who listen and put their trust in Him. The gospel is not just words. It is an invitation into a relationship with God Himself where the power of His Holy Spirit becomes a living reality. He speaks to the seemingly immovable obstacles of condemnation, pride, sin, despair, and fear in our lives, and they obey.

PRAY ABOUT IT: Have you found yourself talking and complaining about some issues in your life? Have you brought them to the one who actually has authority? Make a list of the top three things in your life right now keeping you from having the relationship with God that you have been called to, and ask the Lord to speak to those things in your life with authority.