Who's In Charge Here? A Series on Authority
Monday, January 5, 2004
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My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your great power, which augments Your authority. Ultimately every person in heaven and authority will submit to Your authority or yield to Your power. I pray that in my life today I will submit to Your authority in every aspect of living. Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit that my motives as well as my actions will bring You glory. Bring folks across my path today who need to receive the Good News of Your Son, Jesus, and give me boldness to share that Good News with authority. This I pray in Jesus’ name, and for the sake of His advancing kingdom. 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
If authority is the ability to get others to do what you want them to do willingly, and power is the ability to get them to do what you want them to do period—which would you rather have in your life: power or authority?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
Where did this great demonstration of Jesus’ authority take place? What significance do you see in this? (9:1-2)
What specific charge was leveled at Jesus and how did He address it? (9:3-6)
What was the initial and final response of the crowd to Jesus’ demonstration of authority? (9:7-8)
Understanding God's Purpose for Us
In your daily life, where do you see God’s authority come to play?
Why do you suppose that the teachers of the religious law were so unwilling to acknowledge Jesus’ authority?
Applying God's Word to Our Purpose
What is your response in daily life to Jesus’ authority in your life?
Thoughts
The crowd was initially filled with fear when they saw that Jesus had healed the paralyzed man. So often we think of a meek and mild Jesus, who never “ruffled a feather.” But as we read the Gospels closely and attentively, we find that Jesus nearly always caused a stir—either among the teachers of religious law, the crowds or even among His disciples. When we consider the crowd’s response to Jesus healing miracle—fear, we see that sometimes people mistake authority for power. Power causes fear in people’s hearts because they realize that power ultimately corrupts in the hands of the unredeemed human heart. We see that throughout history: King Herod in Jesus’ day, Napoleon, Hitler, Saddam Hussein, and countless others. Jesus’ power to heal comes from His genuine authority over all of creation. Thus, the fear turns to awe and wonder when we realize that Jesus will always use His resources for our good! Praise God for that wondrous truth, the God of all power prefers to exercise authority!