Pickle Heaven Press-James R. Johnson

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Tag: authority

all authority — April 30, 2025

all authority

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We finally reached the age where we needed a large-print edition alarm clock.  The numbers on it were 2” tall and it was loud too.  I awakened to the sound of garbage-truck backing into my bedroom.  It was an annoying authority.  It told me when to go to bed, and get up, and leave the house for an appointment.

There are annoying authorities but then there are beneficial ones as well like the policeman who protects us and the doctor who helps to heal us.

Jesus, however, is the ultimate authority – of the best variety.  He demonstrated it over three very different but important realms in Mark 1.

“Then they went to Capernaum. When the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people there were amazed by his teaching because He taught them like one who had authority, not like the experts in the law” (vrs. 21-22).

There in Capernaum, He spoke with authority.  His words were powerful, accurate and penetrating, issued from the author of all truth.   He often said, “You have heard it said….but I say to you.”   His words corrected falsehood and could be fully trusted.

There was a sign on the hand dryer in the restroom at work.  It read, “Push here for a word from the boss.”  Maybe, but when Jesus spoke, He wasn’t blowing hot air.  The people understood the difference.

We find another demonstration of His authority in verses 23-28.  There was a man in the synagogue who was indwelt and controlled by a demonic power.  When Jesus arrived, the demon spoke through the man – opposing Jesus and everything He stood for. 

Then this happened, “But Jesus rebuked him: “Silence! Come out of him!” After throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him. They were all amazed so that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching with authority!” (vrs. 25-27).

There was a time when ignorant people would drill a hole in the skull of a living person who was suspected of being possessed – an escape hatch through which to expel a demon.  Foolishness for sure.  Jesus on the other hand, by His authority alone, as the Son of God, could speak a word and the forces of evil were vanquished.

There is yet another evidence of Christ’s authority in Mark 1. 

The Sabbath service was completed, and instead of heading to the Olive Garden for lunch, Jesus and crew went to Peter’s home.  There they found his mother-in-law suffering with a fever.  Jesus responded, “He came and raised her up by gently taking her hand. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. (vs. 31)

When Jesus acted, the feverish sickness instantly subsided. He demonstrated His authority over sickness and disease.

The people of Capernaum recognized and were amazed by Jesus’ authority when He spoke and when He cast out demons.  But when He defeated illness,

They were prompted to submit themselves to His authority.  Mark wrote, “When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered by the door” (vrs 32-33).

Jesus’ authority is not limited by place, or time, or by the size of the problem.   He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” – Matt. 28:18.  When I need to get up in the morning, I heed the authority of my alarm clock.  With every other problem, I need Jesus.

Does Jesus have the authority to help me with my problems? Can His servants give me counsel that will make a difference?  Can His Word give me some clear instruction?  Is He able to supernaturally intervene to help? The answer is yes to all the above. 

Make an appointment with Him today.  Bring your issues to Him in prayer.   He has the authority to make a difference and He will do it for you.

A PRAYER: Lord, You are a great God, greater than all our problems.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Scriptures passages are from the NETBible.com ®

a word to the wise — May 17, 2023

a word to the wise

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My 7-year-old grandson had one life left to lose in his video game.  He was not going to get zapped again – but – then he did.  And without thinking he loudly blurted out, “Aw (bleep)!”  His opponent, who happened to be his dad, froze in stunned surprise. 

Dad properly reprimanded him and asked, “Where have you heard that word before?”   Without hesitation he said, “I heard Papaw say it!”  

What?  No fair!  I wasn’t even there to defend myself.  And he has never heard me say such a thing. 

However, to be fair, long before he was ever born, back in my pre-Christian days, most every sentence I said was spiced up with a foul word.  After I came to Jesus, my language was redeemed, but I did retain the bad habit of using sanctified expletives like, “Aw darn it.” 

BUT I plead “not guilty” to my grandson’s accusation. 

I was reminded that I have influence in the life of my grandson.   According to the dictionary – to have influence is, “to affect or change someone or something in an indirect but usually important way.” (Miriam-Webster)

Let me try to make this a little less abstract.  When I was a kid my parents both smoked.  So when I went out to play with my friends, I smelled of cigarettes.   When I became a teen, I also began to smoke.  It was not a command or even the desire of my parents, and yet I began to smoke.

They hugely affected my behavior by theirs.  That is influence!

My grandson learned from my example to respond to sudden disappointment with a rude exclamation.  Beyond that he assumed that my general behavior was the rule by which his should be measured.   He figured that if he could persuade his dad that Papaw cussed, then it was OK. 

Influence is something that you probably have as well – for better or for worse.  Those closest to you are especially impacted.  They watch and learn as you do life.   Other are impacted as well such as your coworkers, neighbors and your church family.  

Even a young person can have influence.  Timothy of the New Testament was a young man who was charged with managing the church at Ephesus.  It was a tough gig leading a crowd that exceeded him in age.  In fact, Paul wrote, “Let no one look down on you because you are young…” – 1 Tim. 4:12a  NETBible.com ®

He was young, but he had influence.  Paul went on to say, “but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.  – 1 Timothy 4:12b  

It was as if Paul knew that the folks there would have a hard time respecting authoritative words, but they could not resist the influence of a godly life.

The influence we have is far more potent than the words we say.

We can’t confuse influence with authority.  Authority forces a child to conform to a parent’s will.  Influence compels them, by the child’s choice, to follow their parent.  A person may have authority and yet lack influence.

So how do we develop this influence?    

1-Choose the influence of Jesus for yourself.

This world doesn’t need anymore alcoholics, drug addicts, or even mediocre church goers.  Live a life worth emulating.  Follow the example of Jesus.  Experience His resurrection life and you won’t go wrong.  (John 13:15)

2- Cultivate a warm relationship with those you wish to influence.

It is the people that we love and affirm and serve and encourage that are drawn to us and are most influenced by us.  Like a moth drawn to the light, they come. 

The converse is true of course.  When we fail to nurture relationships, those people drift farther away from us, and take little of us with them.

As for me, I hope that my grandson takes more away from me than my sanctified expletives.

A PRAYER: Lord help us to understand the power we possess to positively affect others.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you