"All Authority"

For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him. [John 5.21-23]

Jesus was given "absolute authority" to judge people. This is important to understand and here is why: unless Jesus had full authority to judge, He would not also have full authority to forgive. His forgiveness would have been powerless unless He had absolute authority to judge.

Later Jesus would say:

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. [Matthew 28.18-19]

What Jesus is saying is that because He is endued with "all authority," He is capable of delegating that same authority - ALL OF IT! And, that is just what He did.

This further explains why Jesus taught His followers not to judge, but to forgive.

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. [Matthew 7.1]

If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [John 20.23]

More than just commands of Jesus, these instructions are clear revelations of the scope of authority He has delegated to His followers!

We should consider long and hard the implications of these revelatory statements by Jesus. All the power of heaven is behind them. "All authority" is behind them. Need more proof? Just before John 20.23, Jesus said this:

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [John 20.21]

Judgement is unforgiveness. We have the power to forgive or not forgive. To "not forgive" is to judge others. The significance found in what is discussed here is paramount.

Father, help us to understand the authority that has been delegated to us... Because when we do, the world will see Jesus.