When you hear the word “authority,” what comes to mind? For some, this may be a person, a corporation, a collection of leadership, a system, or maybe a specific place in the world. Wherever you may land or whatever comes to mind, as Jesus finishes His teaching of the Sermon on the Mount, the people around Him could see that He had authority.
- What was the first thing that comes to mind when you hear or read the word “authority”?
- Do you have a good or bad perception of authority? Why?
As Jesus concludes this incredible teaching on a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee, there must have been a mix of emotions. Some were convicted about how they needed to treat their neighbor. Others may have needed to realign their personal desires and aspirations in life. Then, some may have truly come to an understanding of the Lord and who Jesus is. Regardless of where they landed and what convictions the people had, one thing was truly undeniable – His authority.
Before the birth of Christ, way back in the Old Testament, the Lord would speak to His people through a mediator the majority of the time. As a mediator to the people of Israel, He would use prophets such as Elijah, Jonah, Jeremiah, Hosea, or Daniel. He would use His judges such as Gideon, Ehud, Deborah, and Jephthah. The Lord would use kings, such as David, Solomon, and Asa. The one thing all of these leaders and mediators had in common was that they spoke with purpose and authority. It was authority that came from the One true God of Israel.
- Have you ever thought about who authority comes from?
- With all the different figures and positions of authority you discussed, who was the authority that entitled them?
In Matthew 7:28-29 we read, “And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” The authority of Christ is an essential and foundational part of who He is and all He does. While the prophets, teachers, kings, and mediators before Christ all spoke, led, and taught with the authority of God which was placed upon them, the authority of Christ is eternal.
In John 5:19-29, we read, “So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.’” This passage is so crucial as it gives us further understanding that Jesus did not simply have the authority of words or miracles, but He has the authority to judge over all life.
Further on, in John 17:1-2, we read, “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.’” Here, we read how Christ has authority over all flesh and the authority to give eternal life.
Finally, when we look at Matthew 28:18-20, we read, “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” Here, Jesus makes the declaration that all authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to Him. There is no room for discussion or critique; all means all.
- Which one of these passages (or another passage) on Christ’s authority really impacts you?
- From whom was the authority of Christ given?
When Jesus had finished His teaching in Matthew chapters 5-7, the people understood that Jesus was not merely another teacher or even a scribe. They were left astonished by all that He had taught. I am sure that if we had been there, the look on the crowds’ faces between bewilderment, shock, conviction, and amazement would have been more profound and incredible to see than any Taylor Swift concert! The one thing that none of them could deny or ignore was the authority with which Christ taught.
So, what does this all mean? We understand that Christ has been given eternal authority by God the Father. He has authority to judge, to give eternal life, and over all of Heaven and Earth – so, literally, authority over everything! Yet, the One who has authority over all has given us, His followers who confess and believe in Christ’s death for our sins, burial, and resurrection as Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, a mission. That mission is found in Matthew 28:18-20.
- When was the last time you were left astonished? What was that experience?
- Was there ever a time when you were left astonished in a bad way? What was that experience?
That mission (cue the “Mission Impossible” theme song), should we choose to accept it, is this, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). The truly astonishing part of this mission is the trust that our Savior has in us. Jesus trusts us with the most important calling, job, opportunity, and mission in the whole world – the call to share His Gospel message with those around us. This is not a mission that you want to miss out on. The Savior of the world, the One who has all the authority in Heaven and on Earth for all eternity, has called you and I to boldly, lovingly, gracefully, unashamedly, and intentionally share the true message of His Gospel. Wow!
That day, when Jesus was done teaching, the crowd was astonished, and His authority was heard. Now, because of His sacrifice and resurrection, we have been given the opportunity to be a part of His incredible mission of redemption, and we can stand boldly in His authority and proclaim His Gospel in love to all those around us!
- Have you truly accepted the mission of the Gospel?
- Who is someone in your life that you can and need to share the Gospel in word and deed?