Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
A tentacled, razor fanged, bioluminescent creature lunged at its prey in the midnight-black ocean, five miles below the reach of sunlight. Less than ten percent of the fantastic life forms at these depths have ever been seen or cataloged by humans. Jesus has authority over it all.
2.7 million light years from earth, nebula NGC 604 blazes 200 gigantic stars that cause wisps of gaseous cotton candy to fluoresce with blue-green luminance, across 1,500 light years of space. Jesus has authority over it all.
“Hello Mike,” Gabriel greets Archangel Michael in a voice that booms with the crashing of a thousand waves. The two hover among otherworldly creatures so radiant a bold earthling would wet himself in their presence. Jesus has authority over it all.
The authority of Jesus isn’t some future event, he is sovereign now. From the bottom of the sea to celestial beings in every dimension, our Messiah reigns. His throne is the seat of governance and supremacy.
Jesus shares his authority with us for discipleship, baptism, and teaching. These are his specific mandates to us, and he hasn’t sent us out powerless or alone. We go with his Spirit. The same anointing that rules heaven is available for me to help others on earth.
Now is not the time for cowering before self-centeredness. It’s the time for rising up in the authority of Christ to reach his broken world.
Prayer: Mighty Jesus, may I live in your authority.