Trust Jesus’ authority to change everything (including us)

Every day we’re asking four questions about part of the Bible. Today Bern Leckie answers:

What did I like about today’s passage?

Jesus could not be any clearer – hear what he says and put it into practice. But what if I can’t?

Some of what Jesus says sounds scary. He talks about fire, being cut off and turned away if we don’t do God’s will. Is this a challenge to people struggling to do impossible sounding things like loving enemies and avoiding worry?

On its own, it would be a threat which might put us off trying. But I love that Jesus’ commands are backed up by his promise of provision from God for anyone asking, seeking and knocking. He doesn’t want us to try and fail heroically, but to accept and trust his authority.

This makes faith in Jesus an active stretch, not a passive belief. His promises can change the way we treat other people, because confident, empowered, provided-for people behave differently from nervous, insecure, desperate people. Which am I? What about you?

Matthew wants to show us what faith and trust in Jesus’ authority look like in practice, and it’s amazing. I love the centurion who sets aside his own authority to order soldiers to fight or civilians to carry burdens for a mile. Instead, he submits to Jesus’ authority. His faith is not overconfidence in himself, but full confidence in Jesus, and Jesus responded.

I love seeing that Jesus’ authority extends over any distance to influence not just believers but also weather, demons… everything. No wonder people asked “What kind of man is this?” No other authority compares with Jesus, so we might as well accept it!

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

Jesus has high expectations of his followers' ability to act in faith. This is not that they should act alone, but with him as God completes his kingdom-building work. Part of that work is transforming unbelievers into believers, which makes Jesus’ commands doable for us.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

I find it easy to shift between confidence in myself and lack of confidence in myself, depending on what is going on. I need to work more out of confidence in God and his promises to respond to requests. To be honest, I need to request more, and stop being limited by what I believe I can do on my own. I can pray and ask more, and believe that God will make his answers, will and guidance clear as I stretch out in faith.

Who am I going to share this with?

I need to find more people to pray with specifically about work-related faith stretches. I think this will help me to be defined more by faith than fear of failure. Want to join me?