Matthew 28:18-19 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.”

As one Bible teacher used to say, “Any time you see a ‘therefore,’ be sure you know what it’s there for.” The point of this passage is delegation. This isn’t just something off the top of Jesus’ head; He really does have all authority in heaven and on earth. It is on the basis of that authority that He commands His disciples to go make more disciples, accepting no barriers of distance or race, and by extension, language. I have had Americans in Japan confront me with “Who do you think you are, pushing Christianity on the Japanese when they already have religions of their own.?!” The answer, for me and for every disciple of Jesus Christ, is very simple: “I’m a follower of the One who has all authority in heaven and on earth, and He told me to do it.” When we really understand the authority of Christ, all sorts of things become much simpler. Like little children we tend to kick and fuss about all kinds of things, when the only answer really necessary is a Parental “Because I said so.” It is logically obvious that the Creator of the universe has all authority in this universe He created. Because Jesus inhabited a created body, (though He predated the manger in Bethlehem from eternity past) it was important that He made it clear that authority was His, and it was on the basis of that authority that He told His disciples to make more disciples.

This is an issue I have had a slowly growing understanding of, and I need more growth. On one level I seem to understand it fully, and on another level I don’t seem to understand it much at all. That is complicated by the fact that as a pastor, I have more authority in some areas than those who aren’t pastors. I am painfully aware that authority cannot be divorced from responsibility, but I need to keep remembering that responsibility can’t be divorced from authority, either. Not only does God hold me responsible for accurate, faithful use of the authority He has vested in me, He has also given me the authority to do everything for which He has made me responsible. I have the authority to call people to repentance and faith, to encourage, admonish and correct. That authority is never to be exercised outside of humble, grateful awareness of my dependence on God, but that in no way diminishes the authority. Right now we as a body are being challenged to sharpen our focus on Christ and obedience to Him. I need to issue that challenge in all love, but with no apology, because I do so in obedience to the One who has all authority.

Father, thank You for how You are indeed growing me in this area. Thank You for the assurance You gave me in all the events of last week, that I wasn’t at a loss for what to do, because You were guiding me. Thank You that You are just as present right now, in questions of provision and the like. Keep me from presumption, but help me walk in full assurance of the authority You have delegated to me, so that I may be faithful to fulfill every task You have for me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!