“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” – Jesus, Matt. 28:18 NLT
What difference does Jesus’ authority make in your life? In your heart? In your purpose? In your mission? What does Christ’s authority mean to you personally, your witness, your tomorrow?
As we started this year (2025), reading through Mark’s Gospel again, Jill and I started noticing mention of Jesus’ authority and the difference it made in His day. Right there on the same opening in our Bible as the above passage (Mt. 28:18) we read Mark 1:22 “The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.” In the next scene, we are in the synagogue and Jesus, by the power of His word, is able to “cut short” the demon’s declaration! Folks noticed. (v27) “…such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!”
Before chapter one is over, after Jesus submitted His day to the Father with early morning prayer “before daybreak”(1:35), our Master proves His authority over leprosy—even touching the untouchable, because of his willingness and compassion. (v41-45)
All of this brings up a very important question: if Jesus has authority over disease, demons and even death, to what lengths will I go to bring my struggling friends a step closer to Him? It’s almost like Mark knows what I’m thinking because he opens chapter two with one of my favorite stories. (2:1-12) Four guys overcome incredible obstacles to lower their paralyzed buddy right in front of Jesus. Please note: when He proceeds to heal the man Jesus does not say “be healed” — but rather, “My child, your sins are forgiven!” In this amazing story we find out Jesus can read our minds and give us exactly what we need. He has authority to forgive sins! That really threw the religious folks in the room but makes me wonder, what there is in my life that needs to be surrendered more completely to the authority of Jesus. Does this change how I approach the mission of God every day? While you contemplate this compare an animated retelling of the same event from Luke. https://youtu.be/8cmppSIQUX4?si=pjGLXb6H0KxWIxHC
Let me repeat the questions from the beginning: What difference does Jesus’ authority make in your life? In your heart? In your purpose? In your mission? What does Christ’s authority mean to you personally, your witness, your tomorrow?