The Authority of the Son of Man, Pt. 1

The Authority of the Son of Man, Pt. 1
Luke 4:31-37
December 15, 2024

Authority.

Authority is a word that can bring comfort when we are under wise and benevolent leaders.  And it is a word that can provoke us to be fearful when we are under foolish, ungracious, and harsh authoritarians.  Yet we all live underneath authority; one writer has noted that “Authority is hardwired into the creation order.” [Harvey]  There is authority in the home (fathers/mothers and husbands), authority in schools (teachers, principals, deans, boards, and presidents), authority in the workplace (bosses/masters), authorities in government (civil servants, policemen, mayors, judges, senators, and presidents), authorities in the church (teachers and elders), and supremely in Heaven (God).  We cannot escape authority. We will never escape authority.  The same author I just mentioned also observed, “we can assume that since we’ll be gathering around God’s throne in heaven, redeemed people will forever live within the borders of authority (Rev. 4).”

The question of authority is always, “who is responsible?”  “Who is ‘in charge?’”  And since Genesis 3 and the intrusion of sin into the world, there has been a regular battle to determine who is not just authoritative, but who is (the) authority?  Some 2000 years ago, the world saw the answer to that question when Jesus was born.  On the day of His birth in late 5 B.C., He didn’t appear to be authoritative.  He didn’t appear to be the King.  But He was.  (And He still is).  And His ministry was largely about demonstrating that authority.  And that authority was regularly ignored, rejected, and even mocked.  But He was still authoritative.

In Luke 4, we see the beginning of Jesus’ formal ministry, beginning in Galilee.  In His message to His hometown (Nazareth) He claimed to be authoritative to fulfill the Messianic promise of Isaiah to liberate those who are in bondage (4:18-19).  When He was rejected (they attempted to murder Him), He went to Capernaum to again manifest His authority — He is King (and a good King).  Throughout His Galilean ministry in Luke 4-6, and beginning today in Luke 4:31-37 we see the simple truth that…

As the Son of Man, Jesus is authoritative.

The title “Son of Man” focuses on the humanity of Christ.  But don’t think “weakness;” it is also an authoritative title, as Daniel revealed:

“I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him.

“And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. (Dan. 7:13-14)

It is that kind of authority that Luke wants us to see and acknowledge, and it is that kind of authority that Jesus demonstrates in His ministry.  Just how authoritative is Jesus?  In subsequent passages we will see His continued authority in teaching, and —

• His authority over illness (4:38ff),
• His authority over nature (5:6),
• His authority over men’s lives (to compel them to follow Him, 5:10-11, 27ff; 6:12ff),
• His authority over leprosy and ceremonial cleansing (5:12ff),
• His authority to forgive sin (5:18-20ff),
• And His authority over the Law/Sabbath (6:1ff).

All this emphasis on the Son of Man’s authority also compels us to understand that the significance of these episodes and events is not the individual stories, but the revelation of His divine authority.  He is the Son of Man.  And there is nothing over which He is not authoritative.  This passage begins to expose Jesus’ authority in three ways  —

1. The Son of Man is Authoritative in His Words (vv. 31-32)
2. The Son of Man is Authoritative in His Works (vv. 33-35) — Demons
   • The nature of demons and demonic activity (v. 33)
   • The rebellion of the demons (v. 34)
   • The power of Christ over demons (v. 35)
3. An Evaluation of the Son of Man’s Authority (vv. 36-37)

Download the rest of this sermon on Luke 4:31-37.

Synagogue in Capernaum, second century A.D.

The audio will be posted on the GBC website by Tuesday.