In one of the churches I pastored its organizational structure was such that the Pastor was very limited in implementing processes or allocating resources to bring about change. Yet if growth was weak or stagnate the church looked to me for answers as to why. I speak from experience when I tell you that one of the most frustrating things for a leader is to be held responsible for the organization without having the authority to affect change in the organization. Responsibility without authority will run off good leaders every time. In today’s scripture passage Jesus states that he has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. God had granted Jesus cosmic authority and with it the responsibility to make known the manifold wisdom of God through the church to cosmic rulers in heavenly realms. Cosmic authority with cosmic responsibility!

    You might think that at this point Jesus would say, “I got this.” Instead, Jesus then commissions his followers to go and make disciples of all nations. The one with supreme authority grants us authority and gives us the corresponding responsibility to change the world. We have been empowered to serve Jesus Christ and advance his kingdom. When we take up this responsibility we do so with divine authority, divine methodology (process), and the divine presence (resource) of Christ! Nothing in the heavens or on earth can stop us!

In Christ,

John