My boss, Don, stopped in one afternoon and said, “Bob wants to see us in his office.” Being summoned by the President was not routine, but seeing no signs of concern in Don’s face, I donned my suitcoat and we strolled together into C-Suite terrain. Bob wasted no time: “Paul, we’re promoting Don to Vice President, and we’re making you an AVP over commercial lines [business insurance].” Smiles and handshakes all around. “I accept!” As we turned to leave, Bob asked me to stay behind. “Paul, I want you to know that, from now on, your voice is 10 times louder.” I knew exactly what he meant: Your words and actions now carry greater authority; choose them carefully.
Underlying Jesus’ words and deeds was the matter of authority: the people were amazed at it and the Jewish leaders were threatened by it. “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?”1 demanded the chief priests and their posse. Indeed, the incarnate One’s authority was given — “All things have been handed over to me by my Father,”2 Jesus once declared. Yet His authority was also innate as the Son of God, “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities . . .”3
Then let’s glimpse the eternal authority of the Son and its expression among us.
Truth. “The people were amazed at [Jesus’] teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”4
Life. Jesus prayed to the Father, “You have given [the Son] authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.”5
Forgiveness. Jesus proclaimed, “That you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”6
Healing. [The paralytic] rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.7
Evil. “[The people] were all amazed . . . saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’”8
All things. “God has put all things in subjection under [Jesus’] feet.”9
The Son, in turn, authorizes us. “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.”10
Our words and actions carry great authority; choose them confidently.
Father, You have given Your Son all rule and authority, and filled us in Him.11 Send Your Spirit to guide us in His will and power. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
1 Mark 11:28 ESV
2 Matthew 11:27 ESV
3 Colossians 1:16 ESV
4 Mark 1:22 ESV
5 John 17:2 ESV
6 Matthew 9:6 ESV
7 Matthew 9:7-8 ESV
8 Mark 1:27 ESV
9 1 Corinthians 15:27-28 ESV
10 Matthew 28:18-20 ESV
11 Colossians 2:10 ESV
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Paul Nordman—Author 