The Character of Christ (13): Authority

As we press on to look into the scriptures to study the life of Christ as a man on the earth, we see clearly, a man that walked in authority. Jesus spoke with authority, taught with authority, walked in authority. He stated this clearly Himself when He said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth”(Matt.28:18).

He exercised authority over adverse prevailing conditions. When He was traveling in a boat with His disciples and a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat; all the disciples were afraid they were going to die, and they rushed to wake Him up. The bible records that,”then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!’” (Mark 4:39,41). He exercised authority over nature and the elements. 

Also, He exercised His authority over demons and powers of darkness. As recorded in Luke 4:36, “Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, ‘What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.’” He spoke and taught with authority, not as one who wasn’t sure of what He was saying. “And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22). He taught with confidence, with the authority infested in Him by the Father. 

And He has given us as believers that same authority in His name. He said, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you”(Luke 10:19). He has given us authority over demons, over poverty, over diseases, over every power of darkness, and we are not to be controlled by circumstances but to decree and enforce God’s will over situations around us. Although, we must point out that Christ’s use of authority was always subjected to the will of the Father. For instance, He didn’t use His authority to order angels to deal with the soldiers that were flogging Him, instead He submitted to God’s will for Him. 

“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matt 18:18).

Are you being controlled by circumstances around you or using the authority God has given you to enforce His will? Are you allowing the devil to toss you around? Do you allow demons to oppress lives around you without taking authority? Do you speak with fear and timidity or as one who has received authority from the creator of the universe?

Oh Lord, transform us into your likeness, help us to be walk in authority like you! Amen.