He Has Authorized Us

VERSE OF THE DAY: Matthew 28:18-20 ~ And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

One may read this passage, recognize that it is directed to them and feel compelled to go and preach. Another may ask; “Is this directed only to the early disciples, or am I included in this commandment?” It is a fair question to ask. I mean, who wants to step out into a realm that is beyond their authority? If you want God to bring you into an exciting realm where His supernatural blessing flows, if you want to live on the cutting edge where the kingdom of God’s light is advancing over the realms of darkness, or, if you want learn more about God’s plan for how to really change the world for the best, please read on.

Jesus gives His church a couple of tangible “keys” of the kingdom concerning His authority. First, Jesus declares to His disciples that all authority has been given to Him in heaven and on earth. The command to “Go therefore” was a deputizing of His disciples and all those who would believe through them generationally. 2 Corinthians 5 & 6 inform us that we are ambassadors for Christ and co-laborers together with Him. What comes with this reality is an impartation of divine authority under the umbrella of Christ’s “ALL authority”.

It is with this authority that we, as the church of Christ that the gates hell cannot prevail against, have the following promise from Jesus. “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Mt.16:18-19) Now let’s address quickly the question of whether or not the commission in Matthew chapter 28 speaks to us in this generation or was it only for the first-generation church?

The answer to that question is found in verse 20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you and I am with you even to the end of the age. There are two words here that when we look at the original language will open for us a greater meaning of the passage. The word “age” comes from the word aión translated age, time, or world. The other word is observe which comes from the word téreó meaning  maintain (preserve); (figuratively) spiritually guard (watch), keep intact. Wycliffe footnotes this verse to read “teaching them to keep all things, whatever things I have commanded you; and lo! I am with you all days, till to the ending of the world.”

The new living Bible reads: “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” And one more translation reads “and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this—that I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”

I wonder sometimes if this is what Jude, the brother of Jesus, meant when he wrote in verse 3 “…I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude doesn’t make any reference but I think it fits. In any case, it seems to me that Jesus was declaring a generational, until the end of time passing of the torch for His disciples to learn,  protect and to live out the very things He commanded His first disciples to do, and the authority He gave them to do these things with! This brings me to the final point for this post.

Mark 16 ends with the statement “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” Could it be that the Christians who would walk in this authority and power are the ones who “téreó” the great commission?

PRAYER/DECLARATIONS; ~ Jesus, You have given me power and authority over all the power of the enemy. You have commissioned me to go into all the world and make disciples of all peoples. And with that commission is Your promise to be with me to the end. I choose to walk in the call and authority that You have entrusted me with. I open my spiritual ears to hear You Holy Spirit as You teach me observe, obey, and keep the commandments of my Lord Jesus Christ.”

VERSE FOR FEARLESS LIVING:  Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.