One with Authority

In tomorrow's Gospel reading, we are told,

Jesus and his disciples went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

What would that have been like, to hear the authority of God in Jesus' voice? The Rev. Dr. Otis Young writes

Why do I remember that one teacher in high school who had such good authority but never raised her voice or threatened to send us to the principal or rapped our knuckles? The only answer I can come with is that she taught as one who had authority and it was authentic authority that came from within.

Jesus' authority came to him by way of the Holy Spirit in his baptism and a true authenticity that was not based on his teaching alone, or even on healings alone.

When we invite Jesus into our lives we are still inviting that authority, which comes from the Holy Spirit in. As Jesus would say of the peace he offered, "It is not as the world gives." Jesus' authority that could banish demons can help us banish addictions and the other demons we face as well.