Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gave His disciples authority to carry out His mission on earth. This authority was given to them as a result of their faith in Him and His teachings. In this article, we will explore the reasons why Jesus gave His disciples authority and what it means for us today.
What is Authority?
Authority is the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience. In the case of Jesus and His disciples, authority refers to the power that Jesus gave them to perform miracles, heal the sick, cast out demons, and preach the gospel.
Why Did Jesus Give His Disciples Authority?
Jesus gave His disciples authority for several reasons:
To Fulfill Prophecy
In Isaiah 61:1-3, it was prophesied that a Messiah would come to proclaim good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for captives and release prisoners from darkness. By giving His disciples authority to perform miracles and healings in His name (Luke 9:1-6), Jesus was fulfilling this prophecy.
To Demonstrate His Power
Jesus wanted people to know that He was indeed the Son of God with divine power. By giving His disciples authority to perform miracles in His name (Mark 16:17-18), He demonstrated that He had power over sickness and evil spirits.
To Spread the Gospel
Jesus wanted people everywhere to hear about Him and come into a relationship with God. By giving His disciples authority to preach the gospel (Matthew 10:7-8), He empowered them to share the good news of salvation with others.
What Does It Mean for Us Today?
As followers of Christ today, we have been given authority just as Jesus’ disciples were. We have been given the power to pray for healing, cast out demons, and share the gospel with others. This authority is not based on our own strength or abilities but on our faith in Jesus Christ.
Prayer and Healing
When we pray for healing in Jesus’ name, we are exercising the authority that He has given us. We believe that just as He healed people during His time on earth, He can still heal today. When we pray with faith, God can work through us to bring about His healing power.
Expelling Demons
Jesus’ disciples were given authority to expel demons (Mark 6:13). Today we can also use this authority to resist the devil and his schemes (James 4:7). By speaking out against evil and using the name of Jesus, we can take a stand against darkness and evil in our world.
Sharing the Gospel
We have been given the same mission as Jesus’ disciples- to share the gospel with others. We have been given authority to speak boldly about Christ and proclaim His message of salvation to those around us (Acts 1:8). As we do so, God can use us to bring people into a relationship with Him.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jesus gave His disciples authority for several reasons -to fulfill prophecy, demonstrate His power and spread the gospel. As believers today, we have also been given authority by Christ.
This means that we have been empowered by God to carry out His mission on earth by praying for healing, expelling demons and sharing the gospel. Let us exercise this authority with faith and boldness as we seek to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.