“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)
When we get to heaven and we stand before the Lord, I am convinced that one question he is going to ask us individually and as a church is this one simple question, “You only had one job. Did you do it?”
We don’t have to wonder what that one job is because Jesus clearly spelled it out. What He is about to say is not just to pastors, preachers, professors, priests or professionals. He is talking to people of all stripes, all colors, all ethnicities, men, women, rich and poor. We all have the same job. As a follower of Jesus, you must understand why we only have one job and why we should always be doing it. Over the next couple days, we’re going to break that down, so let’s begin.
We must first start with the provision of His power. One of the first principles of leadership is you never give people the responsibility to do something without giving them the power and the authority to do it. Jesus lets us know right up front we have that. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18).
That word “all” is used three times in this passage, but it is this first “all” that tells us why we have to carry out the other two “alls.” The word “authority” literally means “power” or “executive power.” You may have the power to do something, but if you do not have the authority to do it, you cannot exercise that power.
On the other hand, you may have the authority to do something, but if you don’t have the power to do it, you cannot exercise that authority. You’ve got to have the authority and the power to do something, and this word carries both connotations. Jesus makes this incredible claim that He has all authority and all power in all of the universe.
That is the same authority that Jesus has given to us. We have the authority and the power to share with a lost world that Christ is the only way and that people need to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus, that there is forgiveness of sins and eternal life to those who are willing to take God’s gift.
Will you walk in that authority and power today?
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me your power and authority to spread the gospel and point others to you. I pray that you would give me boldness and courage to use that power and authority to help further your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Topics: Evangelism
