Reflecting on Matthew 28:16-20“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)
As a Jesus follower, I am drawn to His message about the kingdom of God.
Jesus declared that God’s kingdom had come near (Matthew 4:17).
This was the gospel, the good news of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23).
He trained His disciples to pray for the kingdom on earth (Matthew 6:10).
They were to seek it first (Matthew 6:33), and preach it (Matthew 10:7).
When we think of a kingdom, we think of a king and their authority.
God’s kingdom involves God’s rule and authority.
But does our world look like it is under God’s rule and authority?
Our world is a disaster, a dominion of darkness, rife with rebellion.
It seems more true to say this world is under Satan’s rule and authority.
Satan said as much when he offered to give the world kingdoms to Jesus.
How can Jesus say that all authority has been given to Him?
I see this statement as tied to the creation of humanity.
In Genesis 1, God appointed Adam and Eve as rulers of creation (Genesis 1:26).
Unlike Jesus, they failed Satan’s test, and forfeited their rule.
Made to be like God, they became like Satan, and ruined creation.
Humans still rule, but now as servants of evil, not goodness.
God promised that one day a human would retake the throne (Genesis 3:15).
Jesus is that promised human ruler, who crushes Satan.
Despite his best efforts, Satan could not turn Jesus from God.
Jesus is a God-like human ruling over creation.
So why doesn’t it look like it?
A big reason is because Jesus rules in a God-like way.
Not with an army, not with enforcers, but with grace and love.
Jesus is like God, compassionate, gracious, patient, loving.
He overcomes evil with goodness, not with force or power.
Wherever we see signs of goodness, we see Jesus at work.
And be sure of this, love and goodness will overcome!
Satan could not, and cannot, stop the power of love and goodness.
Adam (humanity) is on the throne, ruling in a God-like way.
The question is, are we ruling with Him, in a God-like way?
Do we reflect the fruit of the Spirit of King Jesus (Galatians 5:22-23)?
Are we leading His way, or the way of the serpent?
Selfless or selfish love, how are we using our authority in the world?
As a Jesus follower, I am drawn to the Jesus way of authority.
Not lording it over, but humbly serving and sacrificing (Matthew 20:25-28).
Though this seems weak, it is the power of God over evil.
We reveal God’s kingdom rule when we love and serve and heal and bless.
May we as Jesus followers surrender to and serve this Jesus this way!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You have defeated the serpent, reversed the curse and restored the rule of creation as a God-like human ruler. God's kingdom has come!
And yet it is still coming, through Your subjects who lead and serve like You, like God. I offer my humble, weak and fumbling service to You. Teach me how to exercise authority like You, so that Your goodness can overcome evil in this world.
Going against the flow of this world by putting Jesus first. That needs to happen. All for Jesus. Each day anew I need to dress myself with His armour so that I am able to produce the fruit of the Spirit. Do good in His name. Make me a channel of Your peace Lord. May others see Christ Jesus living in me by what I say and do.