Authority of the Son

Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.
In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, “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!”
“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.
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!” And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area. Luke 4:31-37


Anywhere but Nazareth! (See previous post). So Jesus began teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. The thing that impressed the people there was His authority. That's always an attention-getter, and inspires confidence in the listeners. I would certainly rather listen to someone speak who knows what He's talking about. You can always tell. They simply lay it on the line. This is it. No namby-pamby, no oratory, no argument. Just here it is, folks. Come and get it. Kind. Gracious. Matter-of-fact. If you don't like this, there's nothing else to offer. By the way, it isn't about how wonderful YOU are, it is about the perfect plan of almighty God, and what He has done for you. Authority gives truth and hope to humanity.

One of the synagogue members reacted with violent outrage, because he was demon possessed. Demons infiltrate God's people, then and now, to promote their own system of doctrine. It usually includes mysticism, ritualism, legalism, pacifism, humanism, earth-motherism, anything but the blood atonement of Jesus Christ (I Timothy 4:1). The demon has no question about Who this speaker is. You are the "Holy One of God!" And "we" hate you! Satan tries to claim superiority, but he and his demon hordes must obey the authority of God. Upon Jesus' command to "shut up and come out of him," the demon slithered away, to the utter amazement of the people assembled. Jesus is Lord, whether acknowledged or not. His authority infuriates demons.

News travels fast. The word was spreading about this man who spoke and acted with such authority and power that He could even command the unclean spirits, and they came out.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

Demons are real, folks. They have one objective in this world: to thwart the Plan of God. They deny the Truth of the Bible. Interestingly, they always recognize the Son of God, even if humans don't. They despise believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, to the point of belligerence. They hate righteousness. They create confusion and chaos. They are the original rebels, and take great delight in inspiring rebellion in humanity. They do this, often, through loving and peaceful overtures. (How could anything this sweet and beautiful and loving be wrong? Yea, hath God said?) Any statement or doctrine that conflicts with God's Word is a satanic lie, designed to entrap the vulnerable. Our weapon is the Word of God, always.