Power and Authority (Tuesday, Week 1, Year 1)

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 Good morning! 


Tuesday, Week 1, Year 1


The Letter to the Hebrews makes some interesting remarks about us: “We were made little lower than the angels; we have been crowned with glory and honor; and everything has been put in subjection under our feet” (cf. Heb. 2:7-8). Simply, we are being reminded that we have received so much power and authority. However, that someone possesses a car does not mean that he or she knows how to drive. Possessing power and authority does not automatically translate into good use of power and authority. All over the world, we see and hear about people who possess so much power and authority but do not even know how to use it. And this is one of the reasons why there is so much abuse of power.


God gave us so much power and authority, but many (if not all of us) rarely know what they have not to talk of using it very effectively and productively. And so, there was a need for a pioneer who would be like us, made little lower than the angels like us, crowned with honor and glory like us, and who would follow the path of sacrifice and taste suffering and death (cf. Heb. 2:9-11) in order to wield ultimate power and authority over death by His resurrection. That pioneer of our salvation is Jesus!


Like Jesus, in the spirit of selflessness and sacrifice, we can be very productive with the power and authority that we have. For selfish ends, the scribes and Pharisees ABUSED their power and authority by making life very burdensome for people. But Jesus selflessly USED His power and authority to make life easier for people: teaching in the synagogue, casting out unclean spirits (cf. Mk. 1:21b-28), feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and ultimately suffering, dying and rising from the dead.


We have received power and authority so that we may LIVE AND WALK IN DOMINION over evil, sin, ungodly forces and death; not over fellow human beings. If we begin to be MORE SELFLESS in our exercise of power and authority, we will begin to see how productive, effective and victorious we can be. This is what Jesus, the pioneer of our salvation, has taught us.


Prayer:

May I always know and be conscious of HOW MUCH that I have so that I don't forget HOW MUCH I could do through Him who strengthens me, Amen.


May your day be impactful!



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