FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Luke 9:1-17
Zechariah 4:1-10

“…Not by might, nor by power,
but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”

THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS

Jesus has all power and authority. He is far wiser than the greatest commander, for He not only equips His army with training and ammunition, but also by His presence. “…Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zech 4:6).

In service, Jesus personally sent the Apostles to preach and He also took care of their message. He warned them not to rely on their own knowledge and wisdom but on God’s Word alone. He sent them equipped with the tool of the gospel which is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe. They must be ready always to be harmless as doves and wise as serpents as they serve Him.

Herod, a ruler of one-fourth of the Roman Empire, wondered at the authority of Jesus. He thought Jesus was John the Baptist resurrected, for John the Baptist lived a Christ-like life. If we are in Jesus, He will keep working through us till the day we see Him face to face.

In life, Jesus can provide for our needs. The disciples did not think that Jesus could provide enough considering the vast number of people and so they asked Jesus to disperse the multitude. Instead, He told them, “Give ye them to eat” (Luke 9:13). Our God, while being greatly concerned for our spiritual condition, also takes care of our physical needs. Jesus knew that they did not have anything to offer but exhorted them because He wanted the Apostles to trust in Him alone. One of the disciples found five loaves and two fishes from a lad. After blessing the fishes and the loaves, the disciples distributed these to the people. All were satisfied, and they gathered twelve baskets full of fragments.

The authority of Jesus is all encompassing and limitless. He directs His people to serve and to maintain their witness. He controls every one’s life and provides for our needs. Let us lean on Him. He is God!

THOUGHT: Do I acknowledge the authority of Jesus over me?
PRAYER: Father in heaven, help me to be submissive to Thee.