Daily Worship

Authority

Katy Emslie-Smith April 23, 2017 0 0

Matthew 28:16-20

The Great Commission

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Jesus,

Yours is an unaccustomed kind of authority.

So attuned are we to the tub-thumping, flag-waving,

Screen-rattling noise of many words

Of those in pursuit of power,

That we forget how to hear the deep quiet voice,

In the unexpected places:

“All authority is mine”.

 

You are the  one who slips through crowds,

And withdraws to the calm of a hillside,

Takes eleven men, with their adult doubts

And their toddler faith,

And gives them passion and commitment

To change the world.

 

Jesus, always and only in your name,

Shall power be found in the quiet processes 

Of making disciples –

Helping, nurturing, supporting, following.

No shouting here,

Just the sustaining voice throughout all ages:

“I am with you always”.