Today’s Scripture: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore.’” Matthew 28:18-19a, ESV
Theme: Jesus has all authority; with it, He sends us out.
NEWLY EMPOWERED
We don’t think of Jesus as being limited because of the power the Father gave Him when He walked the earth as a Man. He could raise the dead, do miracles, heal the sick, walk on water, and multiply food. Because He was less limited than we are, we forget He was much more limited than God. Then, Jesus follows God the Father’s directions and instructions to the cross, the grave, and back again. In Matthew 28:18, after He is raised to life again, Jesus returns to the disciples and informs them that “all authority” has been given to Him. This is new. This is a big deal. He has been fully Man and fully God, but He was limited in so many human ways.
ENDOWED AUTHORITY
In the ancient world, authority could be transferred with a physical item. A signet ring gave the holder the same authority as its owner and was bestowed by its owner to the recipient. Today, we call this “power of attorney.” As soon as Jesus has all authority, He sends us out. We don’t get to make decisions for Jesus, but we do make decisions on His behalf. We act for Him, speak for Him. It’s that serious. We hold “power of attorney” for God Himself.
GO WHERE?
Sometimes I overthink the call to “go.” I wonder exactly where and in what order should I go to the places I’ve been sent? This is the wrong question. I wonder what God is doing and why should I go? This is the wrong question. I am not too embarrassed, though. The church in Acts 1 asked if Israel would to be restored immediately. Politically? Maybe spiritually? But they are asking the wrong question.
Luke, author of Acts, quotes Jesus’ response: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, ESV). Because we tend to ask the wrong questions, Jesus tells us go to near (Jerusalem), go a little way away (Judea), and go everywhere else (the ends of the earth). In summary, go now. Be His witness where you already live, work, and play. Go to those outside your close circle, tribe, or city – a short distance away. Also go everywhere else, to your nation and to the world. Don’t exclude anyone when you go.
Make It Personal: Jesus is sending you. Will you go? You are endowed with the authority to act and speak on behalf of the living God. How does that change what you might say or do when you go...anywhere? God sent many of His angels, Judges, and people in the Bible. He gave them assignments. Read about them in today’s Scriptures below. He also sends you.
Pray: Dear God, thank You for trusting me with authority, even when I don’t have the capacity to represent You perfectly. Please help me to go where You send me and when you send me. Help me to recognize opportunities that are right in front of me. I pray for the courage to say “yes” when You send me farther away or to people whom I’m not totally comfortable around. Please stretch and grow me. Increase my faith and influence as I surrender to Your plan and trust you more. You are my Provider and Protector. Give the resources. Help me to be willing. Open my hands and let me give more freely. It is my privilege to go on Your behalf. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Acts 1:1-11; Judges 6:14; Exodus 23:20, 3:10; Isaiah 6:8