When I taught mathematics, I was an authority on math issues up to a certain level. If there was a question on what was mathematically true, I could not only provide the correct answer, I could also “prove” that I was right.
In areas of more importance, like moral issues, where do we find reliable authority. Is it in politicians who disagree and discredit one another? Or is each person their own authority? How we spend our eternity depends on knowing and doing the right thing with our lives.
At the moment Jesus left this earth he gathered his eleven apostles and said, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. God therefore and make disciples of all nations…(Matthew 28:18-19).
Notice the word “all.” Jesus makes it clear that he has all authority. And so when the commands the apostles to go make disciples of nations, there is no doubt that they are authorized to do so. In our age of confusion, do we know who has real authority? Yes, it is Jesus Christ.
Today we read about a moment at the start of Jesus’ ministry in which his authority was evident (Luke 4:31-37).
“Jesus went down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee. He taught them on the sabbath and they were astonished at his teaching because he spoke with authority.”
The people in the synagogue had heard many sincere rabbis read the Scriptures and explain them to the people. No doubt most of these teachers were on track. When Jesus spoke, however, it was coming straight from the mouth of God and the people knew without question that they were listening to the truth. Jesus’ presence and voice were different from that of anyone else. Though they didn’t know it, they were listening to the voice of God himself, unmediated through the voices of his representatives.
Jesus not only had authority; he also had the power of command.
“In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out in a loud voice, ‘What have you to do with us Jesus of Nazareth?’ Jesus rebuked him and said, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ Then the demon threw the man down in front of them and came out of him without doing him any harm. They were all amazed and said to one another, ‘What is there about his word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.’”
Jesus had power to back up his authority, just as a policeman carries a gun to back up his badge. His “word” not only exposed the demons but had the power to drive them away. Even their greatest rabbis did not have this power of command in their voices.
We are blessed to know that all authority and power belongs to Jesus. We are also blessed to know that he has given this in a special way to his apostles and their successors. This is especially evident in the sacramental system of the Church ministered by ordained priests. At baptism evil spirits are commanded to leave a person, and they do so. In the Eucharist the priest speaks a word over the bread and wine, and they are transformed a hundred percent of the time into the living body and blood of Jesus Christ. And when the priest in the confessional says, “I absolve you from all you sins…” the penitent is set free from the grip of sin and the influence of evil. Through ordained priests the power and authority that belong to Jesus alone are still exercised for us. Beyond this the truth spoken by Jesus continues to be present to us in the magisterial teaching of the Church.
In an age when secularistic ideas are presented as truth, we are privileged to know that Jesus Christ is still alive and his authority, power, and truth continue to be spoken through the Church. Let us stay grounded in Jesus lest we be led astray by the flimsy versions of truth that the world tries to promote. There is no safer place than under the care of the Good Shepherd.
