Of course you do not know the feeling of flashing lights in your mirror when you have been speeding, but ask anyone who has experienced that fear. The fear can come from what the driver might lose: money for the fine, driving rights because of the points, or respect because of her friends who recognize her call pulled over. The officer has the authority from the state or city to issue the ticket. In that sense, authority means the legal right to act on behalf of a higher power. However, the officer is also equipped with a gun and a fast, reinforced car with the physical power to run a rebellious lawbreaker off the road. That is real, tangible power.
Change the
scenario and imagine your car is broken down on a long, dark, lonely road with
wolves howling nearby and strange rough looking men in a beat up pickup truck
rolling slowly by. Suddenly you see those same flashing lights. Now, instead of
fear you feel relief. That same tangible and legal power now becomes a source
of protection and provision.
When Jesus
began his publicly ministry one thing the people immediately noticed that set
him apart from the other preachers they had heard was that his word possessed authority. The Greek word
exousia includes both the tangible
and the legal concepts of authority. In the cases of Jesus’ preaching it meant
that he unmistakable had the right to teach. He had the authority of a ruler.
However, his word also had authority in the sense of real, tangible power. It
was not just hot air. Jesus’ message changed lives. The dead were raised. The
sick were healed. The oppressed were delivered.
In all the
cases when Jesus sent out his followers, he gave them this same authority. He
still does it today. When someone preaches with the authority of Jesus, look
for the life change.
No comments:
Post a Comment