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Authority(1)
By: Hendrik Wieland
What does it mean that Jesus has been “given” authority?
Prior to Jesus taking on human form, we are told that he eternally coexisted with his Father, and as God he had all authority.
But Philippians 2:6-11 tells us that even though Jesus had existed in the form of God, he “stripped himself” of God’s powers to be born a human being.
Yet the same passage tells us that after his resurrection Jesus was restored to his former glory, and someday “every knee will bow to him as Lord.”
So, what did Jesus mean when he claimed to have complete authority in heaven and on earth?
Authority” was a well-understood term in Roman-occupied Israel.
At that time, Caesar was the supreme authority in the entire Roman world.
His edict could instantly launch legions for war, condemn or exonerate (reason) criminals, and establish laws and rules of government.
In fact, Caesar’s authority was such that he himself claimed divinity.
So, at the very least Jesus was claiming authority on a par with Caesar himself.
But He didn’t just say he had more authority than the Jewish leaders or Roman rulers; Jesus was claiming to be the supreme authority in the universe.
To those he spoke to, it meant that he was God.
Not a god—but the God.
Both their words and actions testify to the fact that they truly believed Jesus is God.
May you live from this day forward with supernatural blessings which bring God's continuous happiness in your home, in your marriage, in your speech, and in your emotions.
Let the law of divine happiness rule your hearts and minds, in Jesus’ name, amen.
What does it mean that Jesus has been “given” authority?
Prior to Jesus taking on human form, we are told that he eternally coexisted with his Father, and as God he had all authority.
But Philippians 2:6-11 tells us that even though Jesus had existed in the form of God, he “stripped himself” of God’s powers to be born a human being.
Yet the same passage tells us that after his resurrection Jesus was restored to his former glory, and someday “every knee will bow to him as Lord.”
So, what did Jesus mean when he claimed to have complete authority in heaven and on earth?
Authority” was a well-understood term in Roman-occupied Israel.
At that time, Caesar was the supreme authority in the entire Roman world.
His edict could instantly launch legions for war, condemn or exonerate (reason) criminals, and establish laws and rules of government.
In fact, Caesar’s authority was such that he himself claimed divinity.
So, at the very least Jesus was claiming authority on a par with Caesar himself.
But He didn’t just say he had more authority than the Jewish leaders or Roman rulers; Jesus was claiming to be the supreme authority in the universe.
To those he spoke to, it meant that he was God.
Not a god—but the God.
Both their words and actions testify to the fact that they truly believed Jesus is God.
May you live from this day forward with supernatural blessings which bring God's continuous happiness in your home, in your marriage, in your speech, and in your emotions.
Let the law of divine happiness rule your hearts and minds, in Jesus’ name, amen.
But is it possible that Jesus was just reflecting God’s authority and was not stating that he was the actual Creator?
At first glance that seems plausible.
Yet Jesus’ claim to have all authority seems to make sense only if he is the Creator of the universe.
The word “all” encompasses everything–including creation itself.
As we look deeper into Jesus’ own words, a pattern seems to emerge.
Jesus made strong statement about himself that, if true, unmistakably point to his deity.
Here is a partial list of such statements as recorded by eyewitness accounts.
“I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)
“I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
“I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30)
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:13).”
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)
“I am the only way to the Father [God].” (John 14:6)
“If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
Once again, we must go back to context. In the Hebrew Scriptures, when Moses asked God his name at the burning bush, God answered, “I AM.”
He was telling Moses that He is the only Creator, eternal and transcendent of time.
Since the time of Moses, no practicing Jew would ever refer to himself or anyone else by “I AM.”
As a result, Jesus’ “I AM” claims infuriated the Jewish leaders.
One time, for example, some leaders explained to Jesus why they were trying to kill him: “Because you, a mere man, have made yourself God” (John 10:33).
But the point here is not simply that such a phrase fumed the religious leaders.
The point is that they knew exactly what he was saying—he was claiming to be God, the Creator of the universe.
It is only this claim that would have brought the accusation of blasphemy.
To read into the text that Jesus claimed to be God is clearly warranted, not simply by his words, but also by their reaction to those words.
At first glance that seems plausible.
Yet Jesus’ claim to have all authority seems to make sense only if he is the Creator of the universe.
The word “all” encompasses everything–including creation itself.
As we look deeper into Jesus’ own words, a pattern seems to emerge.
Jesus made strong statement about himself that, if true, unmistakably point to his deity.
Here is a partial list of such statements as recorded by eyewitness accounts.
“I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)
“I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)
“I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30)
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:13).”
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)
“I am the only way to the Father [God].” (John 14:6)
“If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.” (John 14:9)
Once again, we must go back to context. In the Hebrew Scriptures, when Moses asked God his name at the burning bush, God answered, “I AM.”
He was telling Moses that He is the only Creator, eternal and transcendent of time.
Since the time of Moses, no practicing Jew would ever refer to himself or anyone else by “I AM.”
As a result, Jesus’ “I AM” claims infuriated the Jewish leaders.
One time, for example, some leaders explained to Jesus why they were trying to kill him: “Because you, a mere man, have made yourself God” (John 10:33).
But the point here is not simply that such a phrase fumed the religious leaders.
The point is that they knew exactly what he was saying—he was claiming to be God, the Creator of the universe.
It is only this claim that would have brought the accusation of blasphemy.
To read into the text that Jesus claimed to be God is clearly warranted, not simply by his words, but also by their reaction to those words.
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