Who's In Charge Here? A Series on Authority
Tuesday, January 6, 2004
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My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for being a God who puts the well-being of Your children before Yourself. The gods of the earth are all fashioned after humanity—selfish, self-serving, “hungry” for more and more and more. You are a God who gives Yourself to meet our hungers—our hunger for daily bread, our hunger for forgiveness, our hunger for the life that is truly life! You do this all through Your Son, Jesus. I praise You for all the blessings You pour upon me each day. Fill me today with Your Holy Spirit that I may live boldly and confidently for You, and that I may share the Good News of Jesus with all I meet. Live in me and give me Your authority that others may see Your hand in my life and respond to You. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible Verses
Matthew 11:25-30
25Then Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise and clever, and for revealing it to the childlike. 26Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!
27“My Father has given me authority over everything. No one really knows the Son except the Father, and no one really knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” 28Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”
Reflecting on God's Word
When you consider that Jesus’ authority comes from His Heavenly Father, and that Jesus was a human being as well as God, what does it say about having God’s authority in our lives?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
According to Jesus, to whom does God reveal His wisdom and truth? (11:25-26)
According to Jesus, what is the source of His authority? (11:27)
To whom does Jesus say knowledge of Him and a relationship with Him is given? (11:27-30)
Understanding God's Purpose for Us
Why do you suppose that God only reveals His truth to those who are “childlike”?
In today’s Scripture what is the relationship between God’s authority and Jesus’ authority?
Applying God's Word to Our Purpose
What is the most important application of today’s Scripture to your life right now?
Thoughts
Understanding HOW Jesus can be fully God and fully human has been the pursuit of faithful Christians since Jesus walked the earth. Jesus certainly displays attributes of both God and humanity. He was born, lived and died, just as we will all do. He ate, wept, felt tired just as we all do. He also, walked on water, rose from the dead, and had His birth announced by angels—just as NONE of us have done! Jesus is fully God and fully man. Thus as a man, He received His authority while on earth from His heavenly Father. In fact, Jesus tells us that His Heavenly Father gave Him authority over EVERYTHING. As Jesus followers, He gives His authority to us. That’s why He said, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me, therefore go into all the world….” Whether we feel that we have authority or not, if we belong to Jesus we have the same authority He held while walking on the earth. As we go about this day, let us remember God’s great authority, and that it belongs to us as well. Let us exercise that authority with joy and discernment to God’s glory and honor!