Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,  Matthew 28:18-19a NIV

Last night I loaded kids on my school bus and drove around town. I broke all kinds of traffic laws. I ran red lights, drove right past stops signs without even touching the brakes, and drove on the wrong side of the road. Nope, I was not sleeping and this was not a dream. I really did this.

I was the last of three buses carrying highschool football players to and from their game. We had a two vehicle police escort in which one was leading and the other would stop traffic for us to break all of these laws. We were operating behind and under a “HIGHER AUTHORITY.” The police cars with their lights and siren cleared a pathway for us. My only task was to follow their lead.

After Jesus death, burial and resurrection, God designated Him as the highest authority in heaven and on earth. When you commit your life to Him, you are deciding to follow Him wherever He may lead. There is no other higher authority in your life or in this universe. Your challenge is to follow His lead, always. 

To walk in this kingdom authority requires faith.You are not in control and are not guaranteed knowledge of the outcome of results, other than He will never leave you nor forsake you. It is similar to getting into a car with a friend who hasn’t told you where you destination is, but you know that it always ends up being a good place. It feels awkward because you are not in control and it feels right as peace occupies your mind and heart.

Why is this understanding a big deal? We have lived under an earthly mindset so long we are unsure what living underneath His kingdom authority actually looks like. It is opposite of the world’s standards. Jesus said you know the “street rules’, “eye for eye and tooth for tooth, But I say when they hit you, turn the other cheek.” What happens next can only become a reality when we are “following Jesus’s authority”.  Our old first response is to fight back, Jesus wants us to experience the impact of walking in His authority. The early disciples began to change the world, following His lead with this type of kingdom authority.

Why do many earthly governments hate Christianity? The ruler of this world who guides these governments KNOWS that Christians are living and responding to the higher authority found in Jesus.  In reality, Christians should be some of the best citizens as they reflect Jesus’ authority to love, honor, forgive, respect, those who have been placed in our lives to lead us. Ultimately, Christians have NO other king or savior higher than Jesus. Peter declared that they would obey God, rather than man.

Jesus lived His life following His father’s lead and authority. How did that look? The blind could see, the lame could walk, and the deaf could hear when Jesus operated under this authority. He turned water into wine and raised the dead. He walked on water and saw food multiplied. He had authority to forgive sins and heal. Most days were taken up walking, eating, laughing, teaching, living life with his friends or riding in a boat to travel to the next place. During this time, supernatural events sprinkled His ministry daily. Finally He submitted to death on the cross and took the penalty for the sins of the world. 

He had told His disciples, if you want to follow Me, you must lose your life in order to gain it. Eye has not seen, nor has ear heard what the Lord has prepared for those who love Him. You can’t follow your own path and live under Jesus’ authority at the same time. Many struggle giving up the throne of their heart to Jesus. BUT it is worth the exchange to die to self and live for God.

Listen to Jesus through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Then take the next step under His authority that He asks you to take. Follow His lead today, tomorrow will take care of itself. When you look back, you will be amazed at the things you accomplished together, living and following Jesus’ authority.

Don’t sit still. Jesus said, “GO!”

Blessings Love y’all