August 30, 2005

Luke 4:31-37
Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, "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!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Be quiet! Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed and said to one another, "What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.
There was a demon that came out of the man when Jesus commanded it. It happened in front of the gathered crowd. The people had already noted Jesus spoke with great authority in the synagogue. They knew then that something important had happened and the word spread about him. The people were amazed at his authority and power.

I am not sure what lesson I am gaining from this reading this morning. I know that in my new teaching role that when I speak this morning, I need to speak with authority. I will pray that God gives me the right mind and heart for the day.