Authority

Jesus said: "All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me."

This verse appears right before the Great Commission, at the end of Matthew. Many have taken it to mean that Jesus is promising his enabling power to finish the task. I certainly do not want to argue against a Jesus, who promises us to help us. But is that all there is?

If he has authority in heaven, and on earth, then he has the ultimate control. If he has the ultimate control, then he is the one we need to obey, to listen to, and to take with complete, and total, seriousness.

Given that it is state right next to the Great Commission, then we need to be totally serious about making disciples among every people group in the world. Not just evangelize, though that is important. Our commission is more than making a proclamation. We should also instruct, motivate, and demonstrate how to follow Jesus, so those receiving our input grow, change, become proficient, and motivated, to please all that Jesus commands.

Which means believing, giving and being generous, loving, and becoming part of the process to make disciples.

Jesus has ultimate authority. He commands us to be a part of this building process. All of his family are pastors, evangelists, and church planters. All of his family are called to pray, to love, to encourage, to build up, and to multiply life in the lives of others.

There is a lot of discussion about how this should be done. Jesus gave knowledge. Jesus demonstrated. Jesus also gave homework. When he sent out the Twelve, and the Seventy, he was giving them the assignment to go, and do, what he did.

Whatever method we use, it must produce the fruit of people up, and moving. It must produce the fruit of people changed by the life, and message, of Jesus. It must multiply one person's life into another. And it must affect, and grow, the character of people, so they resemble Jesus more and more.