[Jesus and His disciples] came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath [Jesus] entered the synagogue and taught. The people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes. In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit; he cried out, "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!" Jesus rebuked him and said, "Quiet! Come out of him!" The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another, "What is this? A new teaching with authority. He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey Him." His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee.

The WORD

People see Jesus as a unique preacher. Unlike the scribes and the Pharisees who merely "translate," "transmit," or "Interpret," the Word of God, Jesus strikes people as the "author" or the power behind His words and works. Jesus preaches and works with authority.

Jesus teaches and acts with a commanding word. He has no need of any magical formula to cast an unclean spirit out of a man (v 25). He has an overpowering sense of the supernatural and His authority comes from within Him.

To be the "author" of one’s words and works means that a person originates such words and works from His own heart and soul. He does not copy these from others. The person labors first in His interior self to bring together the words and works before He ever expresses these for others to see, read, and appreciate.

This is what makes life meaningful for each of us: That we are authors – not merely copiers and multipliers – of our words and works. But we can only do that with a deep sense of interiority and prayer.

SOURCE: "365 Days with the Lord," ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls.ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.