Tuesday, December 6: Matthew 10- Authority.

I found myself captivated by the word authority in the opening sentence. He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness (1). It is an interesting choice of words.

Authority… think about that for a moment.

Doctors don’t heal by authority; they heal through training in medical science and learned skills. Right?

Jesus doesn’t give ‘the twelve’ wisdom about physiology, nor does he train them in medical procedures or medicines. He doesn’t teach them healing techniques. Jesus gives them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. Presumably He gives them ‘His’ authority or authority in ‘His name’ to do these things.

Police have the authority of the state to arrest. Judges and Justices have the authority of state and federal governments to preside over cases and make pronouncements. Authority is different than power. Power is generally based on things like size, strength, or intelligence. But authority is invested in a person due to title and rank.

Greenwich Avenue is the main shopping street in our town and it has police officers who control the intersections during the prime shopping times. By simply raising their hand these officers stop traffic. In and of themselves they do not have the power to stop a car. Any car has to power to make a pancake out of the police officer standing in the intersection. But the officer has the authority to stop the cars.

Jesus gave his disciples authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

I invite you to join me in thinking about these things today…

Jesus, you gave authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. That’s amazing. And I know that at the end of this Gospel you will give authority to make disciples to the end of the earth. That may be even more amazing.

Help me to understand better the authority You have given, so that I can be most effective in advancing Your kingdom. In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.