Power and Authority

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18)

One of the first principles of leadership is you never give people the responsibility to do something without giving them the power and the authority to do it. Jesus lets us know right up front we have that. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)

That word “all” is used three times in this passage, but it is this first “all” that tells us why we have to carry out the other two “alls.” The word “authority” literally means “power” or “executive power.” You may have the power to do something, but if you do not have the authority to do it you cannot exercise that power. On the other hand, you may have the authority to do something, but if you don’t have the power to do it you cannot exercise that authority. You’ve got to have the authority and the power to do something, and this word carries both connotations. Jesus makes this incredible claim that He has all authority and all power in all of the universe.

That is the same authority that Jesus has given to us. We have the authority and the power to share with a lost world that Christ is the only way and that people need to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus, that there is forgiveness of sins and eternal life to those who are willing to take God’s gift.

Are you harnessing the power Jesus has given to you? Are you living your life with the authority you’ve been blessed with by God? If not, my hope is that you will begin praying and asking the Lord to help you live with that power and authority every day, taking hold of these special gifts He’s given you.

Dear Father, thank you for the gift of power and authority that only you can give. I pray that you would give me boldness to harness that power and live with that authority so that I might honor and glorify you. In Jesus’ name, amen.