Not only did John the Baptist announce that Jesus is God’s Lamb, the Savior, who has authority to forgive sins, he also proclaimed to the world that he is God’s Son, which is another way of saying that he is the Messianic King of Israel, the Christ, who, it turns out, as a consequence of his resurrection, is the Lord of Lords.
Jesus is the one chosen by God to restore the divine authority of God’s kingdom in the earth.
The Lord’s prayer captures this purpose.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 (NASB95)
John uttered the following words about Jesus’ being the Son of God:
“This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ 31 “I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.” 32 John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1:30-34 (NASB)
Here John acknowledged that his cousin pre-existed. In natural physical life, John was older than Jesus.
John recognized that Jesus was and is the Great I Am!
Jesus later verified that this is true.
Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” John 8:58 (NASB95)
Therefore, Jesus possessed authority as the eternal Logos, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, even before he rose again.
Jesus’ resurrection as a man, the “last Adam,” reclaimed the authority that the first Adam gave away to Satan. Because Jesus shares that authority with those who put their faith and allegiance in him, his resurrection elevated man back to the original position God intended, plus so much more.
Now those of us who put our faith and allegiance in Christ are seated with him at God’s right hand.
and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:6 (NASB95)
This is a position of blessing and authority beyond anything Adam ever experienced!
Most Jewish people at that time probably understood the term “son of God” to mean the promised messianic king of Israel. They would have been familiar with scriptures such as Psalm 110:1, which Jesus quoted to confound those who persecuted him.
Then He [Jesus] said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is David’s son? 42 “For David himself says in the book of Psalms, ‘THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, 43 UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.” ’ 44 “Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord,’ and how is He his son?” Luke 20:41–44 (NASB95)
Jesus invited the Jewish leaders and us to consider this profound mystery: David’s biological descendant is his lord. We know now that this is because Jesus, the eternal logos become flesh, was born of the Spirit, by a virgin, having Abba for his Father. He is the perfect God-Man, as explained by the apostle Paul.
concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 1:3–4 (NASB95)
Before his resurrection, Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, the Messiah. Some believed, such as Peter, because God opened their eyes to see this marvelous truth by faith.
He [Jesus] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:15–17 (NASB95)
Peter, James, and John glimpsed Jesus’ glory as the Lord at the mount of transfiguration, but it was not until after our Lord rose from the dead that his disciples more fully understood. However, they still did not grasp that he was lord of lords yet. They still thought his authority was limited to being king of Israel, the alleged crime for which he was crucified. But God always had bigger things in mind for his Son, as was revealed to the prophet Isaiah.
And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him (For I am honored in the sight of the LORD, And My God is My strength), 6 He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Isaiah 49:5–6 (NASB95)
Jesus was descended from David because God chose Israel to be the vehicle through which he would bring his Son into the world, but his divine lordship transcends the nation of Israel to include all the nations and peoples of the earth.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB95)
The old covenant people were identified as Israel, whom God chose to provide the physical lineage of the Messiah and to be the receivers and preservers of God’s promises in the scriptures. The New Covenant people of God are those who are born again through faith in the One who rose from the dead – the church, the Israel of God.
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:26–29 (NASB95)
The resurrection validated Christ’s perfect sacrifice for our sins as God’s Lamb and validated his claim to be the Son of God, who is Lord over all.
Just before ascending to the Father to be installed as the reigning Lord of the Harvest who baptizes his disciples in the Holy Spirit, Jesus told his disciples that all authority in heaven and earth belongs to him. He is far greater than the first Adam, who had authority only on earth.
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18–20 (NASB95)
This declaration makes Jesus the Lord of lords. No one outranks him.
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:8–11 (NASB95)
God reestablished his Lordship in every area where it was damaged by Adam’s betrayal, on the earth and in the heavens, by the resurrection of Jesus.
Adam threw it all away by betraying his Creator and submitting to the prince of darkness. Jesus recovered it all and then some. This is why the most important part of our confession of faith is the acknowledgement of Jesus’ lordship.
The confession that Jesus is Lord is what saves us because it reverses what Adam did and puts us back into right order with God as his obedient servants.
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Romans 10:9–10 (NLT)
What Jesus did as Savior removed the judgment of death that our sin of rebellion earned. Being forgiven and declared righteous made it possible for us to resubmit ourselves to God’s rule, which we do by confessing that Jesus is Lord. The early Christians were not persecuted for claiming that Jesus was their Savior. They were put to death for fearlessly declaring that Jesus is Lord above all, including Caesar.
The gospel, therefore, it more about proclaiming Jesus’ lordship than anything else.
Delegated Authority
Jesus is Lord over everyone and everything that claim supremacy in our lives. Anything or anyone which tries to usurp Christ’s position as the Supreme King is a rebel, antichrist, and a betrayer. The prince of this world has been defeated and cast down by the Lord of lords.
And He said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Luke 10:18–19 (NASB95)
As Christ’s ambassadors, we have been given authority to represent him in the world. In the last teaching, I mentioned how the Lamb of God provided us with several key elements of salvation: forgiveness, justification, reconciliation, and sonship. The authority of Christ as Lord is mostly related to his role as the Redeemer.
The redeem is to buy back from slavery and set free. Jesus purchased our freedom so that we can be delivered from all that previously enslaved us so that we can serve God with a whole heart.
Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. Acts 13:38–39 (NASB95)
Just as Christ has given us authority to preach the good news that we can be forgiven and reconciled to God, we have also been made representatives of the Redeemer. We are authorized to proclaim liberty to the captives, just as Jesus did when he walked this earth.
“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, 19 TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.” Luke 4:18–19 (NASB95) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Matthew 10:8 (NASB95) Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Luke 10:19 (NASB95)
The authority of Christ extends through us via the words we speak in his name, which are backed up by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. 19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:18–19 (NASB95)
In addition to having authority to proclaim the gospel and forgiveness of sins, we have delegated authority in the following areas.
- Authority to heal the sick.
- Authority to cast out demons.
- Authority to set the prisoners free from anything that would seek to enslave them, such as addictions, legalism, family problems passed down generationally, etc.
Christ’s delegated authority gives us the right to proclaim freedom and God’s favor to those whose hearts are open to the gospel. When this proclamation is received by faith, it releases God’s power to set people free.
It is very important for us to realize that we have been given the authority of Christ to proclaim liberty to the captives. The power rests with God in the person of the Holy Spirit.
He is God’s Enforcer of the words we speak. It is not up to us to make our words come true. That is God’s domain.
Since we have authority, we should use it. We do not ask demons to leave: we command them to go. When we do so, Christ’s authority is released through us. We depend on the Holy Spirit to enforce that authority.
But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matthew 12:28 (NASB95) But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. 22 “But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder. Luke 11:20–22 (NASB95)
Casting out a demon using Christ’s authority and the Holy Spirit’s power is as easy as thumping a fly with our finger. It is never a power issue for us. It is always an authority matter. If we know we have the authority, the power will be there.
Similarly, we have authority to command healing.
Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof; 7 for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 “For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 9 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith.” Luke 7:6–9 (NASB95)
Those who are under Christ’s authority know they have authority as his representatives. We use that authority when we command healing in his name. There is no need to plead or beg. We have authority.
Likewise, we can declare that through our Lord Jesus people are set free from generational judgments coming down through families, addictions, etc. By faith we proclaim Christ’s victory, using his authority, and the Holy Spirit makes it happen.
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” Luke 4:18–19 (NKJV) So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 (NASB95)
Water Baptism
Jesus died as God’s Lamb, doing for us what we could never do for ourselves. He paid the debt incurred by our sins, but he rose from the dead as the Lord of Lords, who deserves and expects our worship and obedience.
This means it is not enough simply to be forgiven. The gospel requires us to acknowledge Christ’s lordship.
Faith contains both the idea of belief of the truth and allegiance to the person of Christ. Water baptism is our public declaration of allegiance to our Lord Jesus.
We believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, but we must also confess our allegiance to him with our mouths. We must never reduce the gospel to merely receiving the benefits provided by the Lamb of God.
We receive God’s gift and give him ourselves in return.
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1–2 (NASB95)
Only the Holy Spirit is able to transform us on the inside. It is a work of grace from start to finish, but it begins with our surrender to Jesus the Lord and a turning away from our deeply ingrained determination to live independently from God.
Repentance, combined with the declaration that Jesus is Lord and a reliance upon God’s Spirit, is the antidote to the poison of self-centered living.
Prayer
Jesus, I understand now that you require me to abandon my quest to live independently from your lordship. I repent from my sinful determination to do as I please without regard for your will. I ask you to forgive me and set me free to live as your joyful servant. I acknowledge and confess that you are the risen Lord of Lords. Holy Spirit, help me to boldly tell others about Jesus. Use me to exercise the authority you have given me to set people free in your name. Amen.
