“You have been filled in Him, Who is the head of all rule and authority.”
Colossians 2:10
Does it make your head explode when you hear someone waxing eloquent on a subject, they know absolutely nothing about? I don’t know about you, but it makes me absolutely crazy, particularly when the subject is the Bible. Speaking as if with authority, when there is no basis for that authority.
During a recent Bible study group discussion, the question was asked, “what was it about Jesus that made Him so attractive to people?”
I’ve thought long and hard on that question and concluded that although everything about Jesus attracted people – both for good and for bad, there was one quality that made Him irresistible.
By “irresistible” I mean people were either absolutely taken with Him – believed Him – trusted and followed Him OR they were drawn to Him in order argue and debate with Him – always looking for a way to tear Him down and discredit Him – and in the end, they wanted to destroy Him altogether on the cross (Mark 11:18).
There was one quality that made it impossible for people to ignore Jesus.
It was His authority. The authority of His presence, His words, and His actions drew people to him and made people listen to Him – whether they liked what HE was saying or not.
New Testament Scripture frequently mentions Jesus’ authority. Over 50 times the New Testament (ESV) uses the specific word “authority” to describe the manner in which Jesus carried Himself: in the nature of the miracles He performed, in the words HE spoke to the crowds who came to hear Him, in His teaching of His disciples, and as HE dealt with the hypocritical Jewish leaders.
AUTHORITY.
Jesus was sent on mission to the earth by His Father. He was commissioned to carry out the Father’s redemptive plan for mankind. To do that, Jesus was given all AUTHORITY by GOD the Father to carry out His purpose. (Matthew 28:18; John 8:28, 10:18, 12:49, 14:10, 17:2)
The word authority is defined by Strong (G1849) as privilege, force, capacity, competency, freedom, mastery, power, right and strength. Merriam-Webster defines authority as power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior; a right or freedom granted by one in authority; or an empowered person in command or empowered by the person in command.
These incidents (there are many others) in the life of Jesus give us a glimpse of the authority given by the Father to His Son, Jesus Christ:
– Jesus taught with authority unlike the rabbis and teachers of the day (Matthew 7:28-29)
– Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey colt was the act of a king – a rule with authority – entering the city in an act of merciful and gracious humility (Matthew 21:1-11, Zechariah 9:9)
– Jesus accepted worship from the people when He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey colt – worship that was being given to One of God-given authority (Matthew 21:8-9, 14-16)
– Jesus cleared the Temple of the moneychangers, buyers, and sellers – Have you ever thought about the fact that no one tried to stop Jesus? His authoritative presence was so acknowledged, that everyone stepped out of His way and let Him clear out the moneymen and merchants! (Matthew 21:12-16, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-47)
– Jesus challenged the Jewish leaders when they questioned His authority (Matthew 21:21-27, Mark 11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8)
– Jesus rebuked the Jewish leaders in His pronouncement of woes – rebukes come from One with authority, not from a lesser position (Matthew 23:1-39)
– Jesus had the authority to forgive sins (Luke 5:24)
The authority of Jesus was evident in His every word and action. Then in an act of immense grace and generosity, Jesus gave authority to His disciples to carry on His directives to teach, preach, heal, and drive out demons. He empowered them for their calling. (Matthew 10:1; Mark 3:13-15, 6:7; Luke 9:1, 10:19)
We see that same authority evident in the ministry of the Apostle Paul and referenced in his writings. And here is where it gets exciting! In Colossians, Paul writes to the believers:
“Therefore, as you (that’s US!!) received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. . . .For in Him (JESUS) the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you (still US!!) have been filled in Him (JESUS), who is the head of all rule and authority.” Colossians 2:6-7, 9-10
Take a look again at this definition used earlier for authority: “a right or freedom granted by one in authority; or an empowered person in command or empowered by the person in command.”
As believers, Christ-followers, Jesus dwells in us. Jesus, the One to whom all rule and authority has been given by the Father. His Holy Spirit fills us! We are partakers of Christ’s divine nature, His power, and His authority. (2 Peter 1:4)
We have been empowered by the Jesus Christ,
the One who is in control,
the ONE who holds ALL Authority.
We should remind ourselves of something Jesus said to the Pharisees because it is critical to us understanding what it means to speak or think or live with the authority given to us by our Savior.
The Apostle John quotes Jesus’ words: “I do nothing on My own authority, but speak just as the Father taught Me. And HE (God the Father) who sent Me is with Me. HE has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.”
Jesus spoke only the words of His Father.
Jesus spoke in the authority of the Father.
Jesus spoke and lived in perfect obedience to the Father.
The Father was with Him always.
The Father was always pleased with His Son.
“His (Jesus) divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which HE has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature….” 2 Peter 1:3-4
When you speak of GOD, Jesus, salvation, eternal life, the Bible – any and all things spiritual – do you speak with the authority of one who has a personal and knowledge-filled relationship with The Ultimate Authority – Jesus Christ and the GOD the Father?
Only when we live a life that reflects the life of Jesus will we be able to speak and think and live a life of Christ-like authority. What does that mean?
Our words must agree with the words of our Father.
Our hearts must align with the heart of our Savior.
We must walk in obedience to the Father.
We must recognize the ever-present reality of God’s Spirit living in us.
Our deepest desire must be to please and glorify the Father.
Certainly, we are NOT Jesus. We cannot live the perfect, sinless life that Jesus lived, but with God’s help, intercession on our behalf by Jesus, and the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit we can live a life that is pleasing and brings glory to the Father. A life that radiates the authority of our Savior and our GOD.
The Psalmist gives us these guidelines in Psalm 119
– Seek God with your whole heart (v. 10)
– Store up God’s Word in your heart (v. 11)
– Ask God for understanding (v.27, 34)
– Mediate on God’s words and His works (v.27)
– Choose faithfulness (v.30)
– Live a life of obedience (v. 32)
– Ask God to “enlarge your heart” – expand your ability to understand and apply God’s Truth (v. 32)
– Ask for God’s leading and guidance in all things (v. 35)
We can speak God’s Truth with authority and power, when we are walking in obedience to our Savior, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and guided by the mighty hand of our Father.
May “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which HE has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might that HE worked in Christ when HE raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” Amen. Ephesians 1:17-21