Time with Jesus: Luke 10:1-24
When we walk with Jesus we have to understand the difference between power and authority. Jesus gives the authority to the 72 when he sends them out to cast out demons—but the power comes from Jesus and his name. We don’t like these things to be separate. If we are going to have authority over something, if we’re responsible for something, we want to have the power to make it work correctly. As we’ve seen already with the disciples, our tendency to misunderstand God’s will is rampant.
When we walk with Jesus we have to give up control and instead focus on calling the attention of the one who has power—Jesus—to the people and things over which we are given authority. This is a confusing word for many, especially those who have grown up with the American idea of freedom, but I think about it this way: the writers of Scripture authored the books, but without the work of the Holy Spirit the Bible would have had no power to change lives. It is our responsibility to use our authority in life to speak and act only as the Holy Spirit would have us, anything else will fail because it is done without power. If this feels confusing then don’t worry about it too much.
Jesus is making all things new. Amen.
AMEN!