“Never man spoke like this man.” John 7:46
Dear Ones:
What was it about the way and manner by which Jesus spoke, that was so arresting? In the gospel of Matthew, we read that the people were astonished at Jesus’ doctrine: “…for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (7:29) It was also true that this authority was not limited to teaching or preaching. In Luke’s gospel, we read: “What word is this! for with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” (4:36) The great point here is that the LIFE of Christ, in every aspect of His work and service to the Father, was characterized by His word of authority, an authority that was given Him. The authority was spiritual, and it always had its effect. It was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s writing: “So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall NOT return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (55:11) In seeking an understanding of the “power of the resurrection,” what does this power and authority that Christ knew, and lived, have to do with it?
Paul writes to the Corinthian believers that the preaching of the Cross, is the “power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18) To the Romans he wrote: “…the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.” (Rom. 1:16) We need to ask the question: What IS this power, and where does it come from? The Gospel is a compilation of truths, liberating and soul-saving. How does the “power of God” work in, through, and by the Gospel? The answer is found in Paul’s declaration, in speaking of preaching Christ crucified: “…CHRIST the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (1 Cor. 1:24) Why was this power of God given, received, and manifested in and through the Gospel, by the living Christ? Paul gives us the answer: “…that your faith should NOT stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2:5) The purpose of the revelation of the power and authority of Christ, was that the believer should trust in this power of God for every need and circumstance, all that Jesus would ask him to do and say. What then is the believer’s key to “receiving” this power and authority, knowing its reality in his life and ministry?
The first thing to know and grasp, is the “truth.” When the day of Pentecost came, and the Spirit of God was poured out upon all flesh, He was sent by the Father to INDWELL the believer. Christ, by His spirit, came to dwell in the heart by faith. As there is no disassociation of His power from Christ’s person, His power came to be as a well, and a river, an everlasting stream, “springing up into eternity.” The same power and authority, in its quality and essence, is in the heart of the believer, because of one’s union with Christ.
The second thing to understand is that this power and authority, just like every other attribute of the life of Christ, revealed in and through us, is to be appropriated…or as we see in the Lord’s supper, partaken of. Christ has laid the basis for faith, in unveiling the truth of our union with Him by the Spirit. The measure of our “partaking of Him,” both in the matter of consistency, and profoundness, is determined by our willingness to believe Him according to His word. James the apostle would put it so very simply, in speaking of prayer: “You have not, because you ask not.” (4:2)
Dear Father, You raised the Lord Jesus from the dead by the power of Thy Spirit. This same power is that which Paul longed increasingly to know and experience, “…the power of the resurrection.” (Phil. 3:10) Please give us grace to SEE as You see, receive fully Thy Son’s power by the Spirit, by which to live and serve. Enable us to remain, to abide, under His authority, that He may be free to give all that is needful for the accomplishment of His will for Thy glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad