Of Jesus it is written…….
Jesus Teaches at the Feast (John 7:14-18 New International Version)
14Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. 15The Jews were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having studied?”
16Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. 17If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
It has become obvious to me that everyoneaccepts someone else’s authority.
* The student accepts the authority of his teacher.
* The law breaker accepts the authority of the government.
* The evolutionist accepts the authority of fallible scientists.
* The Muslim accepts the authority of Muhammad.
* The Buddhist accepts the authority of Buddha.
* Children accept the authority of parents (at least for a little while).
Everyone listed above (Scientists, Muhammad, Buddha, Parents) has spoken from his or her own authority (or at least from the authority originating from another person). Only Jesus appealed to the ultimate authority. It wasn’t His own authority that He appealed but to the One that sent Him. He, in the verse above, challenges the skeptic to examine His teaching according to the ultimate authority given to Him by God Himself. This authority which comes from God and is given to Jesus is mentioned dramatically in the verse below…
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20 New International Version)
16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
It is clear here in this passage that because ALL authority is given to Jesus that NO authority is given to anyone else. This this backed by this verse in Acts (4:12):
12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Anyone having authority on earth has ultimately received it from God, by Jesus His son. This is precisely why Salvation only comes through Jesus Christ. No other authority is given to anyone else. God did not give Jesus 50% authority, Buddha 25%, and Mohammad 25%. He gave every bit of authority to His one and only son (John 3:16). This is of course a problem for those believing that every religion worships the same god (pluralism). If there is one God (the Bible makes it clear that there is only one God -Deuteronomy 6 and Exodus 20-21) and he gives all authority to Jesus then all religions cannot worship the same God (since other religions claim similar authority), unless they go through His son, Jesus Christ, because ALL authority rest in his hands. Earthly power and authority comes through Jesus also, remember what Jesus said to Pontius Pilate before his crucifixion….
8When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9and he went back inside the palace. “Where do you come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
11Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” (John 19:8-11)
It is clear that all authority and power comes only from God and specifically given to Jesus. The question for all is, from whom do you receive your authority?
Accept Jesus’ authority! Although He has all authority and power He will never force you to accept Him, instead, He waits paciently for you to surrender your will to His. Do it today!
If you would like to read more verses in the Bible about Jesus’ authority click here for a comprehensive lists of passages.
