Jesus our Authority

January 27, 2008

By Jeremy J. Main

     “Authority” is the power of influence.  There are people who are in authority and there are people who are under authority. Where are we in relationship to Christ? The centurion understood the concept of “authority.”  He possessed soldiers under his command. He had the right to direct them in harmony with his authority. The power of rule was in his hands.  The centurion said to Jesus, “And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it” (Matt. 8:9 NKJV).

    Jesus Christ, the Son, was given authority by God, His Father. Since Jesus is in authority, where does that leave us? We are under His divine authority. If Jesus tells us to “Go,” then we had better go! If Jesus tells us to “Come,” then we had better come! If Jesus tells us, “Do,” then we better do whatever He says for us to do. After His resurrection, Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18). Only God the Father could bestow such authority. Based upon His divine authority, Jesus commanded, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20).

    God gave His Son Jesus “authority to execute judgment” (John 5:27).  Jesus received “authority over all flesh” (John 17:2). Mankind was given into His hands that He might give eternal life to that part of it which submitted itself to Him in obedience to the gospel.  The authority of Christ is over all mankind, and so all mankind must obey His will.

    Some love to say, “Lord, Lord” but do not do the will of the Lord (c.f. Matt. 7:21-23). Moses, speaking in prophecy of the Prophet that the LORD would raise up, said, “Him you shall hear” (Deut. 18:15).  On the high mountain where Jesus was transfigured, the Father said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him” (Matt. 17:5)! Peter, quoting the prophecy of Deuteronomy 18:15 said, “And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people” (Acts 3:22-23).  Jesus is not merely a prophet but He is “the Prophet.” Jesus is the Prophet and God demands that we hearken unto Him!

    The Bible teaches us that Jesus is “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15).  The word “Potentate” means one who is the ruler or sovereign, one who wields great power or sway.  The Lord Jesus Christ is absolute in power.  He is not only a king, but the King of kings! He is not only a lord, but the Lord of lords! “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17). Body of Christ, we encourage you to continue to obey your head, Jesus Christ (Col. 1:18).