Authority

Then the angel of the LORD spoke very solemnly to Jeshua and said, “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards. I will let you walk among these others standing here. “Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of things to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. Now look at the jewel I have set before Jeshua, a single stone with seven facets. I will engrave an inscription on it, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day. [Zechariah 3.6-9]

The high priest Jeshua was given as a symbol of things to come...

The interesting thing to note here is that if he was told that if he follows God's ways and serves Him, he would be given "authority..."

Now, fast forward to Jesus: think of all the uses of the word authority relative to Jesus and those who would follow Him. There are many references and in those references, Jesus both claimed that authority and also delegated that authority to His followers.

Why then don't we see that same authority today? The answer is simple: we have not 'followed His ways and carefully served Him.'

Jesus described His authority in His miracles:

Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up and went home! Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for giving humans such authority. [Matthew 9.2-8]

Look closely, the authority was in the forgiveness!

Now, watch this:

Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [John 20.22-23]

What?!?! YES! And even further Jesus uses the word "authority" to absolutely confirm this:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 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.”

There is no doubt about how we, as followers of Christ are to act, and therefore be seen, in the earth today. We are "authorized" (as was Jesus) to walk in forgiveness, and forgiveness manifests in miracles and salvation (the evidences of forgiveness).

Think about that.

Father, help me to comprehend the fullness of authority that has been vested in those who abide in Christ...