Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Matthew: Jesus has all power and authority

Matthew 28v18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Over the next 4 weeks, I intend to look at the different emphases of each of the 4 gospels. The elements we will highlight are present to a degree in all of them, but each writer has a different emphasis. We start with Matthew.

Matthew’s emphasis is on Jesus as King. He begins with his descendancy from King David (ch1), and moves to the “Magi” visiting King Herod to ask “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (ch2).

Matthew continues with Jesus declaring “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near,” (ch 4) and describing the character of those who belong to “the kingdom of heaven” in the “Sermon on the Mount” (ch 5-7). Jesus then demonstrates his authority as king in numerous miracles (ch 8-9), followed by the delegation of this authority to his disciples (ch10). Next, Jesus helps us understand how his kingdom operates in a number of parables many of which begin, “the kingdom of heaven is like …” (ch13).

When Jesus begins explaining about his impending death and the need for each of his disciples to “take up their cross and follow” (ch16), he highlights this is based on the “Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” And after talking about his certain return (ch24), Jesus gives further parables about how “the kingdom of heaven” will operate at his return (ch25). As Jesus approaches death, he confirms to Pilate that he is “the king of the Jews” (ch27), and this title remains central as the soldiers mock him and as Pilate puts a label on the cross.

Matthew comes to a climatic conclusion after Jesus’ resurrection (ch28). Jesus meets with his disciples and says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.” (ch28) This is our call and it is based on the supreme authority of Jesus as King. Our authority is a delegated authority and so, “in his name we go.”

I remember in the work place having to make some bold decisions as I represented my employer with the authority I had been delegated.  Such decisions were all based on the stated interests of my employer. Today, with God’s help, let us live with authority God has given to us and in line with his stated interest under Christ the King.

With love and blessing,

Roland