“And said to him, ‘Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.’” – Luke 20:2
Many people questioned the authority of Jesus 2000 years ago. Many still do today. Back then, they asked who was Jesus to offend the status quo, criticize the religious leaders, and call people to a higher holiness of heart and mind? Who was He to gather followers and require them to obey Him? Today, people question who is Jesus to command how we live our life, express our sexual desires, or approach God?
The authority of Jesus has been questioned for two thousand years and that will continue until the glorious day when He returns. Nonetheless, let’s be clear…. For everyone who is sincerely asking that question, Jesus repeatedly demonstrated His absolute authority as the eternal Son of God. How? By:
- His perfect, sinless life that could not be criticized or condemned for indulging any sin of the flesh
- His unparalleled, world-changing teaching that was perfectly consistent with everything the Old Testament taught yet was also profoundly fresh and heart-penetrating
- His increasingly unprecedented miracles that demonstrated and communicated that He possessed the power of God over sickness, disability, blindness, deafness, death, the elements of nature, weather, and supernatural forces
- His perfect sacrifice on the cross to atone for our sins and His physical resurrection from the dead that was witnessed by hundreds
- His visible ascension into heaven and ongoing rule and reign over the universe
- Jesus has ALL authority in heaven and on earth. One day, every knee will bow and recognize this whether they like it or not. Before that day, each person who hears the Gospel has the opportunity to voluntarily make that choice and be saved from their sins. Have you embraced the authority of Jesus as your Lord? If not, what holds you back? #FollowJesus