Monday Thought – December 21, 2015

Good Morning Friends,

“As he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. ‘Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,’ they said. ‘Who gave you this authority?’ He replied, ‘I will also ask you a question. Tell me, John's baptism -- was it from heaven, or from men?’ They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say, “From heaven,” he will ask, “Why didn't you believe him?” But if we say, “From men,” all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.’ So they answered, ‘We don't know where it was from.’ Jesus said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’” (Luke 20:1-8)

Jesus taught as one who had authority. (Matthew 7:29)

Jesus declared that He had the authority to forgive sins. (Matthew 9:6)

Jesus gave authority to His apostles to drive out demons. (Matthew 10:1)

Jesus said that all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to Him. (Matthew 28:18)

Where did all of that authority come from? Jesus gave that answer, too. “Father, you granted your Son authority that he might give eternal life.” (John 17:2) It was the Father who gave Jesus His authority.

The Father gave Jesus authority to teach so that everything Jesus said is binding on us. The Father gave Jesus authority to heal, forgive and do other miraculous things that were outside the scope of what is natural and normal. The Father gave Jesus the right to pass on authority to His followers. The Father gave Jesus all authority. The Father gave Jesus the authority to grant salvation to those who come to Him.

There are those in the world – many – who are fine with God, but question who Jesus is and question whether Jesus has a place that deserves and demands submission. That question has been answered by the Father – He is the One who has placed Jesus in the position of authority and honor and glory. To deny Jesus His place is to deny the Father.

His, by Grace, Steve