Matthew: Authority

 It is possible, and I believe profitable, to review the Gospel according to Matthew through the lens of Jesus’ parting words. The speech that Jesus gives is unique to Matthew, although some of the themes are seen in Luke, John, and Acts. We can be sure that Matthew included this story because it draws together the points that he emphasized as he wrote this gospel. Let’s take Jesus’ statements line by line.

28: 18.   “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

 The question of authority has been raised several times by Matthew. In the ancient Mediterranean world, genealogies and titles were used to establish authority. So Matthew begins his gospel with this issue by declaring that this is “An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Matthew shows the many ways that Jesus is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, thus substantiating his authority. The climax, at the end of Chapter 3, is the voice of God proclaiming that “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”

 That authority is soon tested by the Devil himself. The temptation was for Jesus to carry out his mission in a different way than through service and sacrifice. Twice he challenged Jesus with the phrase, “If you are the Son of God…,” then show off your power. Finally, Satan presented the kingdoms of this world as if he had the authority to give them to Jesus. In all cases, Jesus relied on the authority of the word of God to underscore his resistance to temptation. The temptation to take power by other means would require submission to the Devil, and it still does today. Serving others and sacrificing self are the Christian way. Anyone who does otherwise is running a scam.

 Jesus’ authority came from God, and was demonstrated to the people in his teaching (7: 29) and healing (9: 6-8). Jesus even gave the disciples authority to cast out unclean spirits (10:1). When, near the end, his authority to teach in the temple was challenged by the chief priests and elders, Jesus asked whether or not John’s baptism of repentance was from God or the devil (21: 23-27). The religious leaders did not recognize service and sacrifice as the way of God.

 Jesus had authority on earth to carry out the mission that the Father sent him on, but not all authority. Jesus’ final statement to the disciples above implies that his mission required a self-limitation of his authority. Jesus prayed to the Father and he healed in the power of the Spirit. He had the authority to call down legions of angels to defend him from the cross, but he did not do it (26: 53). The ‘and’ in the phrase “all authority in heaven and on earth” is very important.

 In what ways did Jesus self-limit? Jesus came to earth as a baby, helpless, needing his parents to raise him. He submitted to their authority right up to the time of his baptism by John. John hesitated, “But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness’. Then he (John) consented” (Matthew 3: 15). Jesus limited himself to ministry among the Israelites (Matthew 15: 24) and directed his disciples to “go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:6). Though Jesus had power over the winds and the waves (Matthew 8: 24-27), and even over demons and death (9:18-26), he still couched his mission in terms of service rather than power as earthly rulers use, often with violence (Matthew 20: 28). 

 And how are we to behave on the mission that Jesus has commanded us to carry out? Jesus’ self-limitation is presented as a unique example of service and sacrifice that we all should follow.

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,                                                          

who, though he existed in the form of God,   

did not regard equality with God 

as something to be grasped,

but emptied himself,   

taking the form of a slave,   

assuming human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a human,   

he humbled himself   

and became obedient to the point of death—   

even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2: 5-8)

  And now, after the resurrection, Jesus confirms that the way of service and sacrifice is the way that pleases God. The conclusion of that same song tells the story. 

 “Therefore God exalted him even more highly                                                                              and gave him the name                                                                                                                    that is above every other name,                                                                                                 so that at the name given to Jesus                                                                                                   every knee should bend,                                                                                                            in heaven and on earth and under the earth,                                                                     and every tongue should confess                                                                                                     that Jesus Christ is Lord,                                                                                                             to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2: 9-11)

In order to carry out his mission, Jesus had limited himself on earth, but now Jesus reveals that he has been given “all authority in heaven and on earth.” Jesus had declared that “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve,” but now post-resurrection and exaltation, he also appears as the Lord of all; and he is worshipped as such by both the female and the male disciples. Jesus had limited himself to ministry among the “house of Israel,” but now he is about to direct his followers to “make disciples of all nations.” To confirm this outward radiating mission, Jesus will soon appear again and tell the apostles “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7). (See also Ben Witherington III, Matthew, 2006, P. 533).  

 And so, indeed, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given” to the one who completed the mission that the Father sent him to do. Jesus is worthy of praise and honor and glory for having pursued his God-given mission even to the point of death. Remember that Jesus did not kill other people to defend God’s justice, he offered his life as a witness to God’s mercy. Now, Jesus reigns on high, but through his Spirit, he still walks with his people, that is, Jesus walks with his witnesses who obey his Word and follow his example by taking up their cross and following him. This is a ministry of humble service and painful sacrifice.

 This is our example of the life and ministry that all Christians, not just priests, pastors, and missionaries, are called to live out. How do you know that a person is a real Christian? Do not depend on what they say. Look to see if they are humble and if they are making sacrifices in order to heal the sick and to release those who are oppressed by spiritual forces as well as those who are oppressed by earthly leaders. Look to see if they are working to alleviate the condition of the poor, to protect the vulnerable, and to feed the needy with both solid food and spiritual nourishment. If you see that kind of behavior, then you are looking someone who follows the way of Jesus.

On the other hand, if you see someone who brandishes power over others in the name of being a Christian, then something is wrong with that picture.