September 19, 2010: When Church Gets Crazy – Michael Hidalgo

When we speak about Jesus healing a person who is demon possessed – this is more than a simple healing – it is a clash of kingdoms. When Jesus engages in this kind of healing it is a picture of the end of all things. The spirit within the man begins by acknowledging who Jesus is. This is interesting because the religious in their midst miss it completely. Jesus then show his absolute authority over the spirit by commanding him to come out and to be silent – both commands are immediately followed. This action then raises the question of authority.

The authority that they speak of can commonly be misconstrued as power or enforcement. One who is able to force his or her will on another. However, as we come to see in Jesus, authority, connotes responsibility. What would life be like if those in a position of authority recognized not simply power – but the responsibility that comes with it?