“A New Authority”
Luke 7:1-35
Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. – Luke 7:14-15
Can you imagine!? Raising someone from a coffin! And it was during a procession, for everyone to see! Talk about a display authority! That would be it!
Now, let me ask you, how many at a funeral today would believe on the name of Jesus if in the name of Jesus, the one in the coffin rose? Many? Few? Or none.
I tend to think few because it was the same with Jesus. Multitudes saw the miracles, few followed. Nothing new under the sun.
The Gospels record three such miracles: This one [Lk 7:14-15]; Jairus’ daughter [Lk 8:40-56]; and Lazarus [Jn 11:38-44]. They underscore that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life [ref. Jn 11:25]. The miracles ratify the message.
Over previous weeks we have looked at the message, specifically the Sermon on the Plane. Jesus taught his disciples about the Kingdom of God and the need for Kingdom perspective. But Luke now gives us a record of His works: The healing of a Gentile servant near death, and the raising of the dead. For even the skeptic, it would be difficult to question Jesus after such miracles.
But that is how the Gospels are arranged: Miracles that ratify the message. It was the blueprint of Jesus’ ministry. He preached the Kingdom, He taught about the Kingdom, and then He did mighty deeds displaying Kingdom authority.
There are three things worth noting in our text this morning: Firstly, the importance of authority and submitting to it [ref. Lk 7:1-10]. This is a forgotten value today. Without authority [and the yielding to it] comes anarchy. The Bible teaches that God is a God of order [ref. 1 Cor 14:33-10]. If we desire Godly order in our lives, we need God’s authority to rule and reign. But it takes submitting to God’s authority.
Secondly, God’s authority is irrefutable, shown in raising the widow’s son! Will there be proper response? For some, yes, for most, no.
Thirdly, Kingdom authority oftentimes is misunderstood [ref. Lk 7:20]. It is an authority of God in us through the Spirit to do God’s will, not ours.
The Kingdom of God comes in two parts: Spiritual and Physical. The Spiritual comes first [through Jesus’ First Coming]; the Physical will come second [when Jesus returns]. It is important that we understand the two.
