Authority

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

AUTHORITY

Matt 26:47-54

47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him." 49 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. 50 Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for."  Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51 With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 52 "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" 

NIV

It does seem a little of an overkill to bring a large crowd armed with swords and clubs. Has Jesus ever fought back? Are the disciples such large looming men looking for a fight? Judas and two men without any weapons could have arrested Jesus. But this was a big show of force, typical of the way the world operates. However our focus is not on the actions or way in which or with how many men Judas arrives, but rather on the words of Jesus. There is some discussion among translator about this statement Jesus makes to Judas, This translation makes it a statement, “Friend, do what you came for.” Others say, “Friend, why have you come?” It appears the original language could be seen both ways. Because we have no account of Judas responding to a question as well as the fact Jesus already knew why he came, it would make more sense to make his words as a statement. So with his approval of the action of Judas telling him to do what he came to do, the men step forward and seized Jesus. It would be well for us to note they did not take charge over him, as he was and will always be in charge of both what happens to him as well as us. That is a profound lesson in itself. Jesus has all authority.

Matt 28:18-19

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

NIV

Nothing happens without the authority of Jesus permitting it to happen. In this life we have governing authorities who create a set of rules, or laws for its citizens to abide by. There are those who function outside the authority of that law and when apprehended, depending on the severity of their actions are imprisoned for the appropriate time. In some cases death is the penalty. As with civil laws, the authority of Jesus has been abandon by many people, they operate outside his authority. If they continue to do so they are already imprisoned by sin and Satan, but in the ultimate or the conclusion of linier time, they will receive the death penalty. Jesus has all authority and thus Judas and the crowd are only allowed to seize him because this is the way it must be. He makes that clear after one of his disciple’s acts rashly with a sword. Jesus makes it clear that those who act in such a manner will die in that manner. That is to say operate outside his authority and you will die outside his authority, or you will not enter my rest, but rather perish. We do not know the motive of this disciple with the sword. Was he acting out of defense? Hardly so, as looking at the next few verses we see all his disciples fled. So then perhaps he was acting with a revengeful thought. Then why would a disciple of Jesus have a sword in the first place? Whatever the reason, Jesus does not approve and rebukes that kind of behavior. This should also serve to give us insight into how we should behave toward others. Revenge is never appropriate. Striking back in any fashion is not appropriate. However what we should consider is not so much our actions, but our thoughts. We may not lash out physically, or maybe verbally, but do we lash out within the confines of our mind? Certainly we witness some people who do lash out both physically and verbally when conflicts occur. Although we might be able to restrain ourselves from that kind of behavior, and then again we might even fail in that restraint, we need to be more aware of the attitude of our heart. The reason for this is clear. We are told that as we think so are we.

Prov 4:23

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.

NLT

This translation gives the best insight to its meaning. It agrees with the other proverb about what a man thinks, so is he. Our thoughts eventually govern our behaviors. So we do not want to live in any manner by the sword, but rather be governed by the authority of Jesus. If it is our heart which drives our life, then we must surrender it to Jesus. We must live fully under his authority.