Authority and Power

  Authority without power is weak.  Power without authority is just show.  But when you put the two together, explosive things happen.  Jesus gave the disciples authority to preach and baptize at the Ascension, just before he returned to his Father, when he said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:18-20).  They were authorized to do those things.  Luke tells us Jesus also said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).  Jesus gave them power when he sent the Holy Spirit.  They now had authority and power.  The word used for power in Acts 1:8 is the root of the word "dynamite" in English. 
  The disciples began to preach with authority and to back it up with demonstrations of power, what you might call the gospel combination.  Jesus had given them the authority and the power to do what he had called them to do - go out into the whole world to spread the good news, to do the things that they had watched Jesus do for several years.
  For reflection:  What has God called me to do?  Do I believe he has given me the gifts to do what he has called me to do?
  Let us pray.  Jesus, giver of all good gifts, you sent the Holy Spirit to the disciples on Pentecost to enable them to be you on the earth, to continue to carry out your mission, to bring all peoples unto you.  Thank you for giving me all I need to do what you have called me to do.  Help me to use that dynamite power every day for you.

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