“But also you can say to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea.” and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (Matthew 21:21 NIV)
My eight days in Israel have permanently altered my perspective on Kingdom authority. Our trip guide shared with us openly about the impressive might of Herod the Great. We were first descending the Mount of Olives when he pointed out a particularly pointy mountain next to one with a very flat top. He explained to us how Herod had wanted a summer palace with a spectacular view, not as much for aesthetic purposes as to appease his deep paranoia. A palace on the highest point in Jerusalem could see enemies approaching for miles in any direction. Well, what Herod wanted, Herod got. He had one mountain shaved off and redeposited on the adjacent peak. We could still see the evidence of that mountain moving.
It didn’t hit me until a few days later, though. I was initially too lost in trying to figure out how a first century king would go about rearranging a mountain range. Imagine it with me: no modern day diesel excavation equipment. No dynamite. No cranes or trucks or whatever else they use these days to move earth and stone.
It was later in the week, when we were standing in the modern day City of Zion that I finally realized it. We were perched on a portico with an impressive view of all the mountains: Olives, Scandals, Evil Counsel and the Temple Mount when our guide mentioned again how Herod moved mountains. He reminded us of the summer palace plan and then explained how Herod employed the same tactic to widen and wall up the holy grounds for the Temple.
That’s when this scripture came drifting into my mind; a scripture that has tripped me up for as far back as I can remember. “You can say to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea.” We know from scripture that Jesus was on His way back to Jerusalem from Bethany when He spoke these words, not far from the portico where we were standing surveying the city. He and the disciples would have been in plain view of both the summer palace and the Temple Mount. The disciples would have understood the absolute authority of Herod because it wasn’t ancient history but every day reality for them. Essentially, the Savior was saying “I am giving you Herod-level power in My Kingdom.” Herod had money and might to move mountains, but Jesus was giving them God-authority, much more powerful than anything Herod would ever wield. Also, the destination of the mountain relocation would be epic; depending on which sea their seeking, the Dead sea is fifteen hard miles away and the Mediterranean thirty-three.
So what do we do with this level of authority?
First of all, we realize that God doesn’t hand children weapons. Even Peter had an instructional window between his initial equipping and his invoking of authority. God trains us up to wield His authority with strength and grace. We cooperate in the sanctification process and He rewards our successful maturing with more and more of His power. Even Herod didn’t have absolute authority, he was still subject to Caesar. Likewise we are subject to our Lord and therefore we patiently await Kingdom-appointed opportunities to employ the authority He has entrusted to us.
What is all this authority for? Hard things. Only oppressors wield their power for personal gain. We wield our endowed power for Kingdom’s sake.
We have authority to come against the enemy.
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy.” (Luke 10:19 NIV)
We have authority to build the Kingdom.
“And I tell you, you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. I give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
(Matthew 16:15-19 NIV)
We have authority to forgive.
“As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And as He said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven, if you withhold forgiveness from any,
it is withheld.” (John 20:19-23 NIV)
We have authority to offer healing to broken people.
“And He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases.” (Luke 9:1 NIV)
Lord, may we willingly submit ourselves to Your sanctification process. Thank You for the circumstances that continue to cultivate our character more into Your likeness. Help us learn when and where to invoke Your authority for Kingdom’s sake. May we always wear our mantle of Your power with grace and strength. Amen.