Authority in a Manger
By Meg Bucher
“Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.” - John 13:3 NLT
The Christmas story often begins in with the manger scene, with Mary’s immaculate conception, Joseph’s message of reassurance from an angel, or the journey Mary made to see her cousin Elizabeth …who was pregnant with John the Baptist at the time. The familiar elements of the story of Christ’s birth on earth are only a fraction of the majestic coordination of the events leading up to His first human cries on earth. The verse above tells us Jesus knew who He was and what His mission on earth consisted of. He also knew He would return to the Father.
God the Father gave God the Son authority over heaven and earth. Authority is defined as the power to determine or settle issues or disputes; the right to control, command, or determine. Jesus has authority. The apostle Matthew wrote:
“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.” Matthew 28:18 NLT
We don’t have the authority to forgive sins, but we are to forgive each other as Christ forgives us. He is the One who has the authority to forgive sin and the power to reconcile what has been divided. It is by His authority we are healed, transformed, and made more like Him each day. Born in Bethlehem under humble circumstances, Jesus has the ultimate authority. The apostle John recorded these words of Jesus:
“The Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge …He has given him authority to judge everyone because he is the Son of Man.” John 5:22, 27 NLT
Christmas to some, is merely commercial. To many, Jesus was just a good person. But to those to whom the truth has been revealed, we know the baby born in Bethlehem came to defeat death itself. The prophet Jeremiah wrote:
“But stop using this phrase, ‘prophecy from the LORD.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” Jeremiah 23:36 NLT
He was addressing people twisting or adding to Scripture. Jesus’ birth fulfilled prophecy, as did His life on earth. Biblical truths can be historically traced. God doesn’t mind our questions. Questions build strong faith. We are to take everything we know and hear and line it up to the Truth of God. When Jesus taught the Scriptures during His life on earth, He was doing so as the Living Word of God! That’s who He is! The apostle Mark wrote:
“The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority- quite unlike the teachers of religious law.” Mark 1:22 NLT
Faith in Christ Jesus allows His power to flow through our lives. We walk in step with His Holy Spirit from the moment we believe. Through Him, we understand what the Word is saying, remember it when we need it, and know when and how to apply it to our daily lives. Jesus willingly came to earth as a baby, grew up into His ministry and laid down HIs life for us. God is purposeful. Not one note of the Truth is accidental. John recorded these words of Jesus:
“No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” John 10:18 NLT
Intersecting Faith and Life:
“By my power I will make my people strong, and by my authority they will go wherever they wish. I, the LORD, have spoken!” - Zechariah 10:12 NLT
Christmas is a time to remember Christ Jesus, born on earth to save us. Through God’s power and authority, Mary became pregnant even though she was a virgin. God’s power and authority caused Joseph to trust in the angel’s message of reassurance. John the Baptist was born, Jesus’ cousin, to two people too old to have children. John and Jesus leaped in their mothers’ wombs when Mary and Elizabeth met! Through God’s authority and power, impossible things become reality.
We, too, get to take part in the Christmas story. As God sent Jesus, Jesus sent His disciples:
“Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirts and to heal every kind of disease and illness.” - Matthew 10:1 NLT
With the same authority, God sent Jesus to earth, He is sending us out into the world to spread the good news of the Gospel of Christ Jesus:
“Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.” - Romans 1:5 NLT
Christmas is a time to prepare our hearts for the birth of the Savior of the World sent for us. Each day, we get to walk in step with Him. He is always with us through the power of His Holy Spirit. Let us walk in the authority of the manger …
Further Reading:
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