Who's In Charge Here? A Series on Authority
Sunday, January 4, 2004
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My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, today I acknowledge that You are the ultimate authority in my life and in the universe! I praise You for using that authority to create an orderly universe and placing humanity at the center of it. I pray that You will fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I may always receive Your authority in my life, and live as one who is under authority. Glorify Yourself in my life today through my thoughts, words and actions. May my life be a demonstration to others of what it means to be an obedient and faithful follower of Your Son, Jesus, in whose name I offer this prayer. Amen.
Bible Verses
Matthew 9:1-8
1Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. 2Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Take heart, son! Your sins are forgiven.”
3“Blasphemy! This man talks like he is God!” some of the teachers of religious law said among themselves.
4Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why are you thinking such evil thoughts? 5Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Get up and walk’? 6I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!”
7And the man jumped up and went home! 8Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen right before their eyes. They praised God for sending a man with such great authority.
Reflecting on God's Word
When you think of the word “authority” what is the first definition that comes to mind? How do you understand the word “authority?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What situation caused the “problem” between Jesus and the teachers of religious law? (9:1-3)
How did Jesus respond to the religious teachers’ challenge? (9:4-6)
What was the outcome of the interaction? (9:7-8)
Understanding God's Purpose for Us
Based on today’s Scripture reading what is the true meaning of “authority”?
How would God have us use His authority in our lives?
Applying God's Word to Our Purpose
What is the direct application of today’s Scripture in your daily life right now?
Thoughts
The teachers of religious law thought that Jesus had overstepped the bounds of His authority when He told the paralyzed man that His sins were forgiven. In fact, they charged Jesus with blasphemy, an offense punishable by death in Jesus’ day, for claiming to be able to forgive sins. The teachers knew that only God has the authority to forgive sin. What is authority? Tony Campolo has defined it as the ability to get others to do what you want them to do without force. Power is the counterpart to authority. Power is the ability to get others to do what you want them to do whether or not they want to do it. God holds both power and authority. Thus, Jesus holds both power and authority. The teachers of religious law didn’t believe that Jesus held the same authority as God, so Jesus demonstrated that He did through a miracle of healing. The miracle demonstrated both Jesus authority and power, and it left those who witnessed it amazed, because they had never seen such authority. Nor shall we, because Jesus IS the ultimate authority in life!