What Jesus Did! 'Authority over Everything' — John 3:34-35

Saturday, February 26, 2022

[John the Baptizer said to his disciples,] "For [Jesus] is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands."
— John 3:34-35 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus is THE authority! [1] Jesus has the authority over life and death. He has the authority to reveal the truth about God. Jesus has the authority over religion, faith, and spiritual experience. Jesus has the authority over our lives and our destinies. Why? Because he is sent by God. He has the Spirit of God without any limit. He is loved by God as his Son. And, as we will see toward the end of Jesus' ministry, God has validated Jesus' authority through the resurrection. So who do you have in charge of your life? Is it the folks that sell ads in the media? Do your peers control your life? Are your fears in control? Only one truly has the authority and can speak for God, and his name is Jesus. Are you listening to him?

[1] There might be some confusion about Jesus' authority since he said he has "all authority" (Matthew 28:18) but also said "I am not here on my own authority" (John 7:28-29 NIV) and "I do not speak on my own authority" (John 14:10 NIV). All of these verses also refer to what he has been given by the Father. When Jesus said he wasn't acting under his own authority, he was simply saying he was acting under the Father's authority that was given to him and he was doing the Father's will (John 6:38).

Today's Prayer

Father, please help Jesus' words to cling more powerfully to my heart. Give me a deeper hunger to know what he has said. Help me yearn to be more like him in what I do, think, and say. Make my heart confident when I am among my peers and yielding when I read the words of Jesus. I pray in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 8:5-13
  • Matthew 28:18
  • John 13:3

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Illustration

Illustration of John 3:34-35 NLT — "For [Jesus] is sent by God. He speaks God's words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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