Jesus commissioned His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19-20). We tend to point to those words as a prime command in support of outreach. While that’s true, Jesus obviously intends for us to do more than help people come to know Him as their Savior. He also wants to be their Lord as seen in what comes next in the instructions to baptize them and teach them “to obey everything” He commanded. We find the grounds for such obedience in verse 18, right before He said to go and make disciples.
Jesus’ Authority Provides Grounds for Expecting Obedience to Him
Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matt. 28:18). That leaves nothing over which He wouldn’t have authority. He has full rights, not just in heaven, but also on earth. Jesus isn’t just the Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18) but “He is the head over every power and authority.” (Col. 2:10). He’s the ultimate, the One with whom everyone should align.
He could claim such authority “for in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Col. 2:9). As such, He knows everything and has the power to do anything. But, since the fullness of God dwells in Him, He also has the wisdom, grace, mercy, and love needed to use that knowledge and might for our good. Hence, it only makes sense that we yield to Him as Lord of our lives, obeying Him in all things. Any commands He gives us look out for our welfare, protecting us and providing benefit to our lives. So, in our discipleship efforts, it has to be about more than trying to get people to conform out of fear of one day giving an account to God (Rom. 14:12). Yielding to Him is for our good as well as His glory.
Implications of Jesus’ Authority for Our Discipleship Efforts
Since Jesus has all authority, we need to make sure we communicate in a way that points people to Him as the ultimate authority. We must be careful we don’t inadvertently set ourselves up as the one to whom they owe their allegiance. We must make it about Him, not us. We must promote His purposes, design, and mission for the Church, not our personal agendas.
As a light in the world, we reflect His light (Matt. 5:14-16; Jn. 8:12). As the salt of the earth, we season what we say with His grace and truth (Matt. 5:13; Col. 4:6). As His ambassadors, we represent Him (2 Cor. 5:20-21).
Also Read: Authority in Communication