Lord of All

May 5

(Luke 9:42-45 NIV) “Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. {43} And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, {44} "Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men." {45} But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.””

(Mark 1:22-28 NIV) “The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. {23} Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, {24} "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" {25} "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" {26} The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. {27} The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." {28} News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.””

Jesus is Lord of all things. He never met a demon He couldn’t command. He spoke with authority, and everyone close to Him marveled at the greatness of God. His word still drives out demons. People are still amazed when the chaotic becomes peaceful… when the drunk sobers up -- when the addict gets clean -- when the sick are healed -- and when the broken are made whole. Today we credit the counseling, the doctors, the program, or even the church… but the power still comes from God. Human solutions can only take us so far. Without the Highest Power, the demons often return. When we give Him glory, people are still amazed. Glorify God, Christian! Jesus is still Lord of all things. He is Lord on the mountaintop and in the valley of the shadow of death. He is Lord of Heaven and Earth. He is Lord of life. He is Lord in death. The question is: Is He your Lord today? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day