Authority in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus

 

This is Part 2 (of 7) of my series, Kingdom Principles: Authority.

Jesus understood authority, and he operated under the authority of the Father. I will simply go through the gospels and note what he said about authority. Sometimes exousia is translated power, sometimes authority, sometimes there is just the idea of authority.

First, Jesus has authority

Matt 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.The objection the Jews had to Jesus forgiving sins was only God can forgive. Yet here Jesus says he has received authority to forgive sins.

Matt 21:23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? 

Who gives you the right to teach in the temple and heal the sick? They didn’t really want an answer, as proven by their failure to answer his question, so he didn’t answer (v 24-27). From the rest of his teachings we know his answer, The Father gave me this authority.

Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Jesus demonstrated the kingdom had arrived by casting out demons. This also illustrates authority, the unclean spirits had to obey him.

John 3:34-36 

34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The word authority doesn’t occur here, but is clearly declaring that he was walking under authority – the Father has given all things into his hand.

John 5:19-23

19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.  20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.  21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.  22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:  23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

The word authority doesn’t occur here either, but you don’t need it. The Son can do nothing of himself. He only does what he sees the Father do. He has authority to quicken (that is make alive) whom he will; and the right to judge has been given to him. The Father did this so that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.

John 5:26-30

26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Again, life and judgement. But this time it is also raising the dead. Such authority!

John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 

The Father gave him power over his own life. “They didn't take His life from Him / He gave it willingly.”¹ This commandment have I received of my Father.

John 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 

He was given the power to give eternal life to all who come to him.

Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

After all the authority mentioned in his ministry, this is the climax, this is the apex, after the cross and resurrection, he says, All authority is given unto me. Jesus.Is.Lord.

Second, Jesus gives authority to his disciples.

What power did he / does he give to his disciples? Here’s the summary: power to cast out unclean spirits, power to heal sickness and disease. (Verses at the end of the post.)

Here’s the very best one, John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:

To those who receive him, who believe on his name, Jesus gives power, the right, to become children of God, part of the family of God!

 

NEXT: Authority in Government

 

¹ Randy Matthews, Didn’t He

The power or authority Jesus gave his disciples: 

Matt 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Mark 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.