ALL AUTHORITY

The first thing Jesus said on that mountain was all authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth, and He said it before He gave a single instruction. The command to go and make disciples of all nations is only as strong as the authority standing behind it, and Jesus was making sure His disciples understood, before they took a single step, exactly how strong that authority was.

Daniel had seen this moment coming seven centuries before it arrived, describing a figure like the Son of Man coming before the Ancient of Days and receiving dominion and glory and a kingdom that would never pass away. When you read that vision and then stand in Matthew 28 watching the risen Jesus speak to His disciples, you realise you are watching the fulfilment of everything Daniel saw, because the One who was crucified three days earlier is now declaring that every corner of heaven and earth answers to Him.

That matters enormously for the way we approach discipleship. We go out into the world as people sent by the One who holds all authority over everything we will ever encounter, every door that needs to open, every heart that needs to turn, every situation that looks impossible from where we are standing. The authority behind the mission travels with us into every one of those situations because it belongs to the One who sent us there.

REFLECT
• How does knowing that Jesus holds all authority in heaven and on earth change the way you approach the people in your life who seem far from God?

• In what area of your discipleship have you been acting as though the authority behind the mission was limited?

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, before I go anywhere or do anything, I want to settle this in my heart today - You have all authority, in heaven and on earth, and You have sent me. Let that be enough to make me bold. Amen.

TODAY'S READING: Matthew 28:18; Daniel 7:13-14