Kingdom Authority

Last year, in April 2020, we were wondering how long our lockdown due to this “COVID thing” would last, and if we would be free by Easter. Well, we all found out, didn’t we? Now in April 2021, we are a year later – older, wiser, and thankful that we are seeing some signs of progress.

This month we celebrate the Holy Triduum, the Paschal Mystery of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Signs of spring are now everywhere – birds singing, flowers and trees blossoming, grass growing (and needing mowing!), and allergies kicking up! So where are we spiritually this Easter? I’m not sure how you would answer that, but personally, the concept of authority - spiritual authority, Kingdom Authority, the authority of the Lord Jesus - has been on my mind a lot.

WHAT IS KINGDOM AUTHORITY?

One of the reasons Jesus was sent among us was to establish the Kingdom of God in our midst. In order to do so, he was given authority by God the Father. “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’” (Matt. 28:18).

In his public ministry, Jesus taught with authority – to the amazement of his listeners (cf. Matt. 7:29; Mark 1:21-22; Luke 4:32).

On many occasions, Jesus manifested his authority to heal. One striking episode was the Roman centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant. As the Lord started to go with him, the centurion stopped him and told Jesus that he understood how authority works. He uttered those famous words, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matt. 8:8; Luke 7:6). Would that we all had the same kind of faith in Jesus’ authority!

Jesus showed that he had authority on earth to forgive sins. When a paralytic was brought to him for healing, Jesus said to him, “Your sins are forgiven.” In order to prove his authority to forgive sins, he then healed the paralytic (cf. Matt. 9:1-9; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26).

Jesus had authority to cast out evil spirits. At the very beginning of his public ministry, Jesus cast out an evil spirit tormenting a man in the synagogue at Capernaum. Those who witnessed it were “all amazed” and recognized his authority (cf. Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37).

Jesus demonstrated that he had authority over nature, over “the wind and the waves” (cf. Matt. 8:27; Mark 4:41; Luke 8:25).

Not only did Jesus exercise kingdom authority but he gave his apostles authority to preach, heal, and cast out evil spirits (cf. Matt. 10:1; Mark 3:15, 6:7; Luke 9:1).

"THE FINGER OF GOD'S RIGHT HAND"

In the hymn Veni Creator Spiritus, one of the titles of the Holy Spirit is “digitus paternae dexterae,” “the finger of the Father’s right hand.” How does this relate to authority? Well, it comes from a passage in which Jesus is accused of casting out demons by the authority of Beelzebub, the prince of demons.

Jesus refutes that accusation, pointing out that “if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand?” Jesus then says, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Matt. 12:28). The parallel passage in Luke has “finger of God” instead of “Spirit of God” (cf. Luke 11:20). In the days of his earthly life, Jesus was manifesting divine authority in the earth through the Spirit of God, who is the finger of God!

PRAYING WITH KINGDOM AUTHORITY

Jesus continues to exercise kingdom authority in our midst today through the operation of the Spirit of God, the “finger of the Father’s right hand.” When we call upon Jesus in prayer, we should pray with the authority he has told us to use (cf. John 14:13). That is why the very best prayer is the Lord’s Prayer, the Our Father, because we pray for God’s name to be held holy, his kingdom to come, and his will to be done.

Another great kingdom prayer is “Come Holy Spirit.” If the “finger of God,” the Holy Spirit, comes upon you, then the kingdom of God – and kingdom authority – comes as well.

As we enter another Paschal Triduum and the 50 days of Paschaltide, let’s remember: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15). Lord Jesus, manifest your Kingdom Authority over us and among us in the earth at this very time! Amen!