“Thus saith the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him.” Isaiah 45:1
During the ministry of the Lord Jesus, He spoke on several occasions of laying down His life. But there is one occasion which stands out among the others, and it was in the context of being the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. In the gospel of John, we see that though there were so very many elements at work leading up to Christ’s crucifixion, there was not only the unveiling of the will of the Father, and Christ’s acceptance of that will, but an authority given by the Father to Christ for its accomplishment. In John’s gospel, we read Jesus’ words: “No man taketh it (my life) from Me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power (literally: authority) to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father.” (10:18) That which is presented to us in the clearest of terms is that, not only did the Father by the Spirit provide the power, or strength and enablement, to the Son to offer His life a sacrifice for sins to save mankind, but He was given the Divine “right” from heaven to do so. Why is this matter of authority so very important? It is because of it’s expression of the sovereign control, and rule, of God pertaining to His Son, and as a result to every child of God. Christ possessed the sovereign right of heaven to do the will of His Father, regardless of the lesser authority of principalities, powers, might and dominion in league, and under the control of Satan. No man, nor devil, no circumstance, could deter Christ from accomplishing His mission, His purpose, because He was submitted to the highest, and most powerful and far-reaching authority in heaven and earth. He had a mandate from God the Father and was given the full authority and power of heaven by the Spirit to accomplish it. It is for this reason that Isaiah, in writing of Christ would say: “He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for His law.” (Is. 42:4) In speaking to His disciples, Christ went on to say with regard to men: “No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of myself.” (Jn. 10:18) This singular authority of the God of heaven, overrules all other lesser authorities, whether they be men, or devils. Thus, Christ would not be denied victory in His mission, and work. He was vested with the authority of God. The enemy of our souls, and His, was ever seeking to tempt Him at any possible point, to cease to be submitted to that authority, thus depriving Him of its power. Absolute submission to the authority of God is the key to the implementation, and experience of the power of God, and the manifestation of HIs victory over all the power of the enemy.
During Christ’s ministry there was a centurion who had a servant who was very ill and about to die. He had had been instrumental in helping the Jews build a synagogue. He had heard of Jesus, and sent some “elders of the Jews” to implore Him that He would come and heal his servant. Truly sensing his unworthiness to come to Christ personally, he asked Christ to “…say the word, and my servant shall be healed.” (Luke 7:6,7) There was a reason for which the centurion asked Jesus just to speak the words, as he later explained: “…for I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh.” Here is a man who lives and serves Ceasar by being under Ceasar’s authority.
God took the authoritative right hand of King Cyrus, who then conquered nations. Jesus Christ submitted Himself to the Father’s authority, overcoming victoriously accomplishing a perfect salvation.
Dear Father, Rule over us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.