[T]hey were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” Mark 1:27
I continue my study of The Character of Jesus. For this morning, I focus on chapter 4: The Strength of Jesus where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:
- "When you think of [Jesus] do you think of some one thin and gaunt, weak and pallid? Not so did he seem to the people of his day....When Jesus presents himself to be baptized, a remarkable thing happens. John had called men to repentance, he had faced the greatest men of his day without flinching, he had baptized the great and small, the high and low, the rich and poor, the learned and ignorant; but when this man from Nazareth appears, John falters and draws back and says: "I cannot baptize you. I have need to be baptized by you." Such was the impression which Jesus made upon the intrepid reformer from the desert."
- "He teaches...as one having authority and not as the scribes. There is something in his voice that pierces and cuts and thrills, a tone that they have never heard before. It is the note of authority, the note of strength."
- "There is a sick man in the synagogue, and Jesus heals him, and again the people are surprised because God has given such power to a man."
- The impression of Jesus in his day is one of "authority, mastery, power, leadership; he is a man of strength."
- "He drew men to him....Wherever he went he was surrounded by a crowd...Every city through which he passes is turned upside down by his presence. Only a man of strength draws to him great masses of men."
- Repeatedly in the Gospels we see how people were amazed at or spoke of Jesus' authority and power. Luke 7:1-10 is one such example where the Roman centurion knew of Jesus’ authority and asked Jesus to heal his servant - and Jesus did.
- Other men of power in Jesus' day respected Jesus' power - men such as Nicodemus and Pilate. "Pilate is afraid of him, he draws back from him, he wrings his hands in uncertainty, he washes his hands, he tries to get rid of this man. He feels that there is a power in him unlike any power he has ever come in contact with before."
- "But if you would have the finest proof of his power, you can find it in the intensity of the hatred and in the intensity of the love which he excited."
- "He kindled a devotion that is superior to anything that has ever been known in this world....He called forth a kind of reverence that has never been granted to any other man who has ever lived. He was so mighty that when men thought of him, they thought of God."
Jesus reigns! See also Colossians 1:15-17.
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My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who loves me and who is so full of grace for me. You don’t need me and despite how I was an enemy of You, You still saved me! Thank You Jesus for how You save and how You give me the Holy Spirit to equip me and to counsel and guide me. I am not deserving of how You save, counsel and guide. My sin is great and it is daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You. Help me grow in my faith and love You with all of my heart soul and mind-and love others as You love me. Give Lisa and myself energy and wisdom. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Help me serve You, my family, the church and others. Help me understand, apply, and be obedient to Your message for me today and every day.
