“For I have not spoken on My own initiative; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a commandment, what I should say and what I should speak.” John 12:49
There came a day in the ministry of Jesus that He entered Capernaum, there being met by elders of the Jews who had been sent by a Roman Centurion. These elders came to Jesus to implore Him to come and heal the Centurion’s servant who was very sick, and about to die. Jesus, upon hearing the pleas of the elders, went with them. However, when not far away from the house, the Centurion send friends to Him with the message: “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.” (Luke 7:6) The centurion’s humility was clearly seen. But what followed were words which would reveal the Centurion’s faith, coupled with that humility. They were, “But just SAY the word, and my servant will be healed. For I ALSO am a man under authority, having soldiers under me.” (v.8) When Jesus heard these words, He declared: “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel.” (v.9) Great faith can only come when there has been humble submission to the authority of God, of Christ. James the Apostle, in his letter to the dispersed Jews who were scattered across the Roman Empire of his day, wrote the following: “Submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (4:7) Submission to the authority of God will bring with it not only the received authority to overcome the enemy but will enable the believer to draw near to God and know communion with Him. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” In the humbling of oneself before God, there comes with this act and attitude towards God, a promise: “…and He (God) will lift you up.” These principles, especially that of submission to the authority of God, would be applicable to every believer scattered across the Roman Empire of James’ day, and our own today. So, what does this have to do with preaching, and the preacher?
There were many times when Jesus would speak to His disciples concerning His power and authority. Consistently the Lord would speak of the authority that was given to Him by the Father, an authority that first of all, He was totally submitted to. With regard to Him speaking, or preaching, he would declare: “The words that I speak to you, I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.” (Jn. 14:10) In speaking of the Spirit of God, whom the Father would send upon the disciples after the ascension of the Lord Jesus following His death, the Lord would say: “When He, the Spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears He will speak: and he will tell you things to come.” (John 16:13)
What then is the principle for power in preaching and teaching? It is that which we see in the Lord Jesus who is our example. As He was fully submitted to the authority of His Father, the Father would communicate to Him His authority and power to speak. Christ would receive the very words of the Father to give to His disciples. The authority with which He spoke would be that given to Him by the Father, “…all authority in heaven and on the earth.”
For every believer, and servant of Christ, this principle applies: where there is total submission to the authority of Christ, authority and power is given, first of all to live for the glory of God. Secondly, with regard to the preacher, or teacher of God’s word, authority is given so that the purposes of God will be realized. The Apostle Paul learned and abided by this principle, declaring that he proved that his speech and preaching, were in “demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” (1 Cor. 2:4)
Dear Father, Reign over us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.