Authority

Even now, in this day and time, the more I ponder and meditate on the events which took place in Jerusalem, with Jesus’ coming, the more I can hear such gut-wrenching questions, as was previously stated, being asked by many.

Many ask boldly and openly, while others ask silently and secretly, about the Supremacy of God’s Heavenly Authority, against the earthly authority of humans. Has something gone drastically and completely wrong with the things of God? Has His Authority been eroded? Has His Sent Word been hijacked? Has God been weighed in the balance of power and found most wanting?  God forbid! The very thought is of Satan. He is the one who grabs hold of all our human senses, and works them unendingly, showing us that evil is in charge and sin rules the roost. He has all the evidence and proof to shake even the faith of God’s elect, if he could so do.  

For many of us, it does look as though evil has overcome good; hatred has silenced love; ill will has counteracted good will; wrong has crushed right; selfishness has overruled selflessness and the Creator has been bruised by the created. God Forbid! Such temptations should be and must be forcefully fought and vehemently denied.

The evils of hatred, jealousy and utter fear, which occurred in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ birth, were of indescribable proportions. Listen to this verse of Scripture again. All who know it will hear it once more and may the Holy Spirit bring even more enlightenment. For those who do not know it, it is now before you and may the same Teaching, Holy Spirit, break this Word upon you in illuminating light, with heart-offering responses. Here is the text. When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Matthew 2: 16

The Saviour-King, who had come into the world to save His people from their sins, is heralded with blood, the blood of human children, innocent of any crime. Oh! What a distressing and utterly sad contrast. Not many days earlier, heavenly lives were sent down to earth, in angelic form, to tell the world that the Saviour of the world was born. Angels brought the news of peace to a world of darkness and hatred. But today, not very many days hence, as I have indicated, another message rings through Jerusalem and it is broadcast all around.

Look at the text once more, does it not lift earthly authority against heavenly Authority? Heavenly Authority is God’s Authority and we know and believe that God’s Authority is Supreme Authority. God’s Authority has created all things. Herod has earthly authority, which is given to him by God, for God is LORD.

Two unarguable facts about Herod’s given authority, have been opened up for us. Yes, we know that Herod holds authority over people, as he rules the land. People know that he is king and respect him as their high, earthly power and ruler. People listen to him and do as he says, but not in this instance. Unheard of! Today, three foreigners, Magi from the East, have outwitted him. He had given them strict orders to, Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him. Matthew 2: 8b. However, the Authority which is above and beyond Herod’s authority, God’s Heavenly Authority, has come down to earth to the Magi and given them other orders.

Let’s pause for a time of highly, deep reflection. Where are you in relation to God’s Supreme Authority? How do you respond to His Authority in light of all the other human authorities around, ordering you to do this and to do that?