USING OUR AUTHORITY

How do you feel when you encounter authority figures such as a teacher, policeman, or mayor?  Some people react in fear and drastically slow down when they come near a cop car in traffic.  Some become cynical and see them as somebody who wants to oppress or control them.  Others are grateful because they see the authority figure as a servant who helps make their life more peaceful and better.  What about the authority of Jesus?

The truth is, all of us have been exposed to abusive authority.  It came from someone who overstepped or took advantage of their power.  Many of us have misused authority.  Those who are parents can probably think of times when they received temporary compliance from a child due to excessive power and authority being rained down upon them.  All of us can use a fresh model of what true authority looks like.  This is found in the Bible, especially concerning the life of Jesus. 

There are several times in Scripture that it says that Jesus came with a “new kind of authority”.  As He taught His disciples, worked miracles among the multitudes, and battled with the religious rulers of His day, we see Jesus again and again saying, “This is how the world uses authority, but it is not so in My Father’s kingdom”. 

In Mark 1:27, it says,  Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, 'What is this?  What new doctrine is this?  For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

 What is authority? There are two words used in the New Testament for the word “authority”.  The first is the Greek word “dunamis”.  It means “to have the capacity or ability to do something.  The ability to achieve in the arena of physical, military, or political power”.  Dunamis is the office of authority.  The second word is “exusia”.  It is “an unrestrained right or freedom of action.”  This is the position of authority.  It is the right to exert authority.  In a soccer game, the players have the “dunamis” power and authority to be on the field for a game and to exercise their authority by kicking and moving the ball around the field while trying to score a goal.  The referees have “exusia” power and authority.  The players and bigger, stronger, and faster than the referees and could easily overpower them in a one-on-one physical altercation.  Yet the referees are the ones who have the authority to penalize, stop, and even disqualify the players as they participate in the soccer game.

We all know of scenarios where people had exusia but not dunamis in the realm of authority.  For those who are over 50, think about Deputy Barney Fife on the Andy Griffith show.  Jesus had both the exusua and the dunamis kind of authority working in His life and ministry.  Matthew 28:18 verifies this:  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”  Only the Holy Trinity can handle this kind of power and authority.  It would be dangerous for anyone else to possess.  Let’s look at the ways that Jesus used His authority.

1)     FREED PEOPLE FROM BONDAGE

In the book of Mark, the first chapter, Jesus goes into Capernaum and amazes the people as He taught as “One who had authority”.   He drove a demon out of a young man, and the people were amazed.  They exclaimed, “What is this?  What new doctrine is this?  For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

The good news is that the authority Jesus displayed over demon powers and in His anointed teaching is available to us today. 

2)     HE USED IT TO FORGIVE PEOPLE OF PAST FAILURES

In Mark 2 is the story of a man who is paralyzed.  Because the house that Jesus is ministering healing in is so full, this man’s friends make a hole in the roof and lower him in, right in front of Jesus’ face.  Mark 2:5- When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”  Jesus continued ministering to the man and healed him of his paralysis.  This story shows us that Jesus not only had the authority to heal the sick, but He also had the authority to forgive people of their sins.

3)    HE GAVE IT TO OTHERS

Mark 3:13-15-  "And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He wanted.  And they came to Him.  Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons."

If you are a coach, teacher, boss, pastor, parent, or grandparent, then God has given you both exusia and dunamis authority.  What are you going to do with it?  Ask yourself these three questions and give an honest reply:

1)     Does my leadership remove barriers so that people I lead are free to succeed?  We need to do what we can to remove barriers, not try and find ways to put them up.

2)    Do the people that I lead feel safe around me?  Jesus removed guilt, fear, and performance.  People felt safe to fail around Him.

3)    Do the people I lead feel empowered with purpose?  Am I doing it all myself or am I giving it away so it multiplies in effectiveness?  Jesus gave us an example when He said, “If I go to the Father, then greater things than you saw Me do, you shall do.”

We are endowed with and privileged to possess the dunamis power and authority of God.  With this authority comes responsibility.  I encourage you to exercise your authority, especially in prayer, for the benefit of your spouse, family, church, community, city, nation, and the world.  Remember these two promises:  “Every place in which your feet shall tread I have given it to you”.  (Joshua 1:3)   And, “For this purpose was the Son of God manifest, to destroy the works of the evil one.”  (I John 3:8)