Servant's Authority To Serve

Authority can be a very powerful word and it is often associated with power. Each of us has authority over something or someone, in simple and sometimes commanding ways. There are sources of authority which cause us grave concerns and we do not want to even be found in the path of such authority. This is how it was with Ananias.

Listen to what he tells the Lord Jesus about Saul of Tarsus. Just before I quote his words, let’s be reminded of what is happening. The Lord has come to His servant Ananias in a vision. He has given Ananias a mission, a work of service to do for Him. Ananias is quite willing and okay with it, until he hears the name of the person to whom he is being sent. Jesus calls the name of Saul of Tarsus, and His servant immediately jumps into all that he knows about the man and the harm he has done to many believers of the Way. Then he goes on to say this. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name. Acts 9: 14.

Authority over authority! All that Ananias is saying is true. The chief priests are the men with all the authority and what they say goes. In fact, they, as members of the Sanhedrin, belong to the highest power source of authority for the Jews. For Saul to travel with their authority to arrest and imprison believers in Jesus, is huge for this disciple of Jesus. Can you imagine it?

Saul, a man, carrying the authority given him by the highest Jewish power, goes resolutely, confidently and zealously to do the work he has been sent to do. He has authority to arrest all who call on the Name of Jesus. Everyone knows this, as it’s no secret to anyone. Saul is not keeping any low profile, nor is he any undercover servant of the Jewish constabulary. Without question, or fear of any words spoken by the highest believers in Jesus, Saul sets off on his mission.

On the other hand, we see God’s servant who has his Master’s authority, but he is being intimidated by another servant’s authority. Is this your position in some mission to which you have been called and sent? Is this you?

Ananias, a servant of Jesus, carrying the authority given him by the Supreme Power of heaven and earth, is hesitant to do the work which he has been given to do. There are two things I wish to draw to your attention. First of all, Ananias must have the authority of Jesus to be able to do the miracle work for which he has been called. Believe you me, to go and place your hands on a person who cannot see and restore that person’s sight, is miracle. This servant of God accepts this authority from his Master. There is no anxiety there whatsoever. Nevertheless, when he is told who the person is, there is a problem of authority.

For a moment, Ananias is held captive by the authority of the chief priests and forgets the authority of Jesus, the High Priest.

For a moment, Ananias sees the authority given to Saul of Tarsus, as above the authority given to Ananias of Damascus. 

For a moment, Ananias loses sight of whose servant he is, and focuses on whose servant Saul is. This makes him put up excuse-barriers as to why going to such a person is bad news.

Lord Jesus, restore in me just who You are and that Your Authority is above all other authorities which may be found on the earth, above the earth and below the earth. Amen!