when Jesus was on earth, He demonstrated that He had authority over all things. Through His teachings, miracles, and His resurrection, Jesus showed that He was not just an ordinary man, but the Son of God with power and authority over nature, sin, demons, and even death. The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes this authority, showing that Jesus’ power comes directly from God.
1. Authority in His Teachings
When Jesus taught the people, He spoke with a unique authority that amazed His listeners. In Matthew 7:28-29, after the Sermon on the Mount, it says, “The crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” Unlike other religious teachers who quoted traditions or other rabbis, Jesus spoke with direct authority from God, giving new insights into the Law and the Kingdom of Heaven. His words carried divine power and truth.
Lesson: Jesus’ teachings carry the authority of God, and we are called to listen to His words and follow them as the ultimate truth.
2. Authority Over Nature: Calming the Storm
One of the most dramatic demonstrations of Jesus’ authority over nature is when He calmed the storm in Matthew 8:23-27. As the disciples were terrified by a violent storm, Jesus stood up and rebuked the wind and the waves, and immediately the storm stopped. The disciples were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!” This miracle showed that Jesus had power over creation, revealing His divine nature.
Lesson: Jesus has authority over all of creation, and we can trust Him to calm the storms in our lives and provide peace in the midst of chaos.
3. Authority Over Sin: Forgiving the Paralytic
In Matthew 9:1-8, Jesus demonstrated His authority to forgive sins. When a paralyzed man was brought to Him, instead of immediately healing him, Jesus said, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” The religious leaders were shocked and accused Jesus of blasphemy, because only God can forgive sins. To prove His authority, Jesus then healed the man, showing that He had the power to forgive sins and to heal physical sickness. This miracle revealed that Jesus had authority over both the spiritual and physical realms.
Lesson: Jesus has the authority to forgive our sins, and through Him, we can experience both spiritual and physical healing.
4. Authority Over Demons: Casting Out Evil Spirits
Throughout His ministry, Jesus showed His authority over demons by casting them out of people who were possessed. In Matthew 8:28-34, Jesus encountered two men possessed by demons in the region of the Gadarenes. The demons immediately recognized His authority and begged Him not to send them into the abyss. With a single command, Jesus cast them out, freeing the men from their torment. This event highlighted that even the forces of darkness are subject to Jesus’ power.
Lesson: Jesus has complete authority over evil, and no demonic force can stand against Him. We can trust in His power to protect and deliver us from spiritual darkness.
5. Authority Over Death: Raising the Dead
Perhaps the greatest demonstration of Jesus’ authority is His power over death. In Matthew 9:18-26, Jesus raised the daughter of a synagogue leader from the dead. The crowd had already mourned her passing, but Jesus took her by the hand and brought her back to life. This miracle foreshadowed His own resurrection, where Jesus would conquer death once and for all.
Lesson: Jesus has authority over life and death. He offers us the hope of eternal life, showing that death is not the end for those who believe in Him.
6. The Great Commission: Authority to Send His Disciples
After His resurrection, Jesus declared His ultimate authority in Matthew 28:18-20, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” With these words, Jesus sent His disciples into the world with the power of His authority, commissioning them to spread the Gospel and make more disciples.
Lesson: Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth, and He empowers His followers to go out and share the Good News with confidence, knowing that His power is with them.
7. The Resurrection: The Ultimate Proof of Jesus’ Authority
The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate proof of His divine authority. After being crucified and buried, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, conquering sin and death. His resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith and the clearest demonstration that Jesus is the Son of God with authority over all things. It is through His resurrection that we have the promise of eternal life and the assurance that He reigns as King.
Lesson: Jesus’ resurrection proves His authority over death, and it gives us the assurance that we too will share in His victory over death if we believe in Him.
Key Lessons from “Jesus’ Authority”:
- Jesus’ teachings come with divine authority, and we must follow His words as the ultimate truth for our lives.
- He has authority over nature, and His power can calm the storms in our lives just as He calmed the sea.
- Jesus has the authority to forgive sins, offering us spiritual and physical healing through His grace.
- Demons and evil forces are subject to His authority, and He can deliver us from all spiritual darkness.
- Jesus has authority over death, giving us hope for eternal life through His resurrection.
- With all authority in heaven and earth, Jesus commissions His followers to spread the Gospel and make disciples.
- The resurrection is the ultimate proof of Jesus’ authority, demonstrating His victory over sin and death.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is shown to have authority over every aspect of life—nature, sin, spiritual forces, and death itself. His authority comes directly from God, and through His life, death, and resurrection, He invites us to live under His lordship and experience the power of His Kingdom. We are called to trust in His authority and share the message of His power and grace with the world.
