Power and Authority

Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and was teaching them on the sabbath. They were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, "Let us alone! 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." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" When the demon had thrown him down before them, he came out of him without having done him any harm. They were all amazed and kept saying to one another, "What kind of utterance is this? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and out they come!" And a report about him began to reach every place in the region .Luke 4:31-37 

 I heard a Ted Talk recently about Amy Cuddy, a professor at Harvard business school, who was recommending that folks take two minutes a day (or more) to stand in the "Wonder Woman pose". She is an expert at body language and her research shows that this type of power stance helps woman particularly overcome feelings of inadequacy, anxiety and fear of failure. It also sends a message to the brain to stop the negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. We all need help overcoming and ridding ourselves of our demons. For too many of us, low self-esteem can keep us from being courageous and being who God has called us to be.

Jesus confronts a man possessed, and the demon knows who Jesus is. The poor suffering man wants to be rid of his demons and to feel safe in his own skin. Jesus takes authority over the demon and rids the man of all his suffering. When this kind of change happens, people take notice and they did. God wants us all to be whole, strong and courageous, and so many people have challenges that seem too great. The good news for all of us today is that the Creator is ready and willing to take charge and rid us of our demons, if we are willing.

Today I want to be willing and courageous to make positive changes in my life. May we trust that God has the power and desire to rid us of our demons, our fears and our weaknesses today.