Text: Matthew 7:24-29

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” —Matthew 28:18

The children of the orphanage act differently when Pastor Pedro is in the room! His presence is a game changer in the posture and conduct of the orphanage residents.

We have a ministry partnership with an orphanage in the Dominican Republic. My dear friend, Pastor Pedro, is the founder and head of the orphanage. Something noticeable over the many years we’ve been facilitating VBS programs, sports ministries, English camps, and Christmas parties with the children of the orphanage is that they can get quite rowdy at times. Yet whenever Pastor Pedro steps into the room, the kids are on their best behavior. There is something about his authority that instantly brings order to any chaos.

When Jesus finished teaching the Sermon on the Mount, it says, “the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29). Jesus was unlike any human teacher. He came as God manifest in the flesh, “with all authority in heaven and on earth” given to him (Matthew 28:18).

Christ’s divine authority was evident in his incarnation, the nearly 40 miracles he performed publicly, his sacrificial death on the cross atoning for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2), and his resurrection from the grave—witnessed by over 500 people. Jesus fulfilled over 300 messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. His authority is exercised today in his everlasting kingdom reign and will continue to be exercised till he has inevitably put all enemies under his feet and destroyed death itself (1 Corinthians 15:24-27). The authority of Jesus is forever cemented over all creation (Colossians 1:15-20).

When Jesus steps in the room, it changes everything. Yet there were some folks who got their feathers ruffled whenever Jesus stepped in the room, namely the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus was a threat to their power and control, so they fought him tooth and nail on many occasions.

We do the same thing whenever we find ourselves fighting for control over our own lives or control in relationships with others. We can’t submit to the authority of Christ while maintaining our own power and control. We have to see Jesus in the room! We either have to “white flag” our agenda and surrender to Christ, or end up very frustrated, angry, offended, and ultimately causing unnecessary hurt to others and ourselves.

What would it look like this week to recognize Jesus in every room of your life? What would submitting to Christ’s authority look like in your private actions, your relationships, your marital disputes, your business transactions, your finances, your service to the church body, or even dealing with an antagonist or adversary? Think about that as you seek to abide in him this week.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for extending grace even when we have failed to raise our white flags in surrender. Holy Spirit, give us the eyes to see Jesus in the room of everyday life, and submit to his authority in all that we do. Amen.

Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:

1. What human authority did you respect growing up? Where did you struggle with human authority?
2. When have you acted like a Pharisee by opposing the authority of Jesus, because you needed to be in control?
3. How can you see Jesus more clearly in every “room” of your life? What will it look like this week to wave the “white flag,” surrender control, and submit to his authority in every situation?