Matthew 28:16-18
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Tag: We Worship the One Full of Authority
While on the earth, Jesus demonstrated power and command of all around Him. In His temptation experience at the beginning of Matthew’s book, Jesus was challenged to worship His tempter, Satan. Notice Jesus’ response:
Matthew 4:8-10
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God
and him only shall you serve.’”
In this last chapter of Matthew we are told that, after the resurrection, Jesus came to His disciples. He speaks to them a truth that will enable them to set the world on fire for Christ. Jesus states:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Today, leaders of large countries like to spout the power they have. Leaders of large political groups believe they have power to move the world around them. Leaders of companies think they have power to change the course of the lives of those who serve them and fill their coffers. People love power and authority. Even those who have small dominions practice power and authority: Family heads; gang heads; clique heads; home-owner associations, etc. It matters not the size of the group, someone will try to exercise power. Even our churches are run by power hungry individuals who want to direct and manage those around them with the authority they have inherited, purchased, earned, captured, etc. The religious leaders of the day thought they had authority to crucify Jesus. Pilate even thought he had power as to whether Jesus would live or die. Yet, God is the only One who has power ... and He gave it to the Son. Armed with that one truth, Jesus sends out His disciples to change the world by preaching the Gospel and making disciples. The disciples “worshipped” Jesus - the One with All Authority. We can move forward in giving the Gospel to a lost word because the One we worship has ALL authority. We need not shy away from the Gospel. Paul stated (Romans 1:16-17) the Gospel was the “power” of God. That is because Jesus has been given ALL power. Nothing and no one has more power in this world, or in heaven, than Jesus ... no matter how they try to convince themselves that they do.
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