The cure of a demoniac

JESUS went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority. In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, “Ha! 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, “Be quiet! Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed and said to one another, “What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” And news of him spread everywhere in the surrounding region.

REFLECTION WITH AUTHORITY AND POWER. Jesus comes to Capernaum to teach. His words provoke astonishment, for he speaks with authority. The authority with which Jesus commands refers to his ability to elicit conviction from his hearers, an authority rooted “in the power of the Spirit,” with which he has been anointed (cf Lk 4:14, 18). Power is at issue. Jesus has power over the demon that seeks to harm a person. Just as the people are astounded at the authority of his teaching, so now they are amazed at his authority and power over unclean spirits. Throughout the gospels, Jesus’ identity and authority are challenged by the Pharisees. That unclean spirits obey his command should open the eyes of the Pharisees to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Thus, their obstinacy is contrasted with the unclean spirits’ obedience to Jesus’ words.

Let us open our hearts and minds to the power of Jesus’ words.