Are we sufficiently mindful of the authority of Jesus Christ?

Consider:-

1. Its origin. Cf. Jn 3:35, “The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.” Mt 11:27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father.” Eph 1:22 ‘God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church.’ See also Ps 2:6-12; Ps 110:1. If all of Christ’s power and authority is derived from the Father, how much more is this the case with us.

2. Its delegation. Mt 28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go…”.

3. Its scope. 1 Pet 3:22, ‘Jesus Christ who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.’ Php 2:10, ‘…that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…’. 1 Cor 15:25, ‘He must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.’ But the emphasis here is ‘all people’ – (all flesh, ie, human nature as viewed in all its weakness). Jesus has authority over all people, whether they presently submit to that authority or not.

4. Its design. Jn 5:21-29 “The Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.” This clearly limits the scope of the atonement to those who have been given to the Son by the Father in the eternal decree of election.

5. Its infallibility. Jn 10:28-29 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no-one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” See here the absolute certainty of the salvation of all God’s chosen people. ‘If the Father has given to the Son absolute and universal power for this very purpose that he should bestow on them eternal life, how can they possibly come short of it? Nay, it is impossible; though earth and hell should combine against the Lord and his Anointed, Jehovah’s purpose shall be accomplished. All attempts to thwart it are weaker than a cobweb before the loaded canon’s mouth.’ (Charles Ross)