In the “great commission” Jesus told his disciples “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:18,19). This was a meeting with the 11 remaining disciples at at a mountain in Galilee after Jesus had been resurrected.
What is interesting is that Jesus already had authority during his earthly ministry. He turned water into wine. He healed many kinds of diseases including leprosy. He cast out demons. When Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee the disciples response was, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:27). So, then what was this authority Jesus spoke of when he met with the disciples after his resurrection? Here are my thoughts:
- Since he follows by saying, “Now go therefore into all the world and make disciples…” In Matthew 10 Jesus had sent out the disciples to the lost sheep of Israel to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons,” The point here is that Jesus instructed them “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans” (Matthew 10:5). Perhaps his authority during his earthly ministry was focused on Israel, but after his resurrection his authority and the authority he delegated to his disciples extended to the whole world.
- Another thought came from a podcast I listened to last night that said that when Adam sinned in the garden he handed his authority over to Satan making his the God of this World. In the resurrection Jesus as the 2nd Admin regained for man the authority that Adam lost. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 6:33)
In the military we were taught the concepts of responsibility and authority. If you were responsible for performing a task, you needed to have the authority to direct subordinates to do their part. And your subordinates could use the authority given to you to direct others as well in your name. Jesus gave the disciples responsibility to make disciples in the whole world, and he also gave them authority. Peter was aware of the authority of acting in Jesus’ name when he was going up to the temple after Pentecost and saw the crippled man begging. “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk” (Acts 3:6-8).