I don’t remember the event at the American Airlines Center, but Pam and I found ourselves as pedestrians in the middle of a mob of people trying to cross Victory Avenue safely. At first, a sluggish cop who obviously disdained the chore of directing traffic made a mess of things. Power drivers continued to force themselves in the midst of the traffic, horns were blowing, and people were cursing each other. Tempers were running high. Shortly afterwards, a very neatly dressed cop marched to the middle of the intersection and took control. Immediately, he crisply blew his whistle in a very quick, highly decibel shrill, pointed his fingers at the jerk drivers and he authoritatively put a halt sign up, palms out and stopped the traffic in all directions. Then, he took control of the intersection. Traffic started moving in an orderly, controlled manner, and pedestrians were able to cross the very busy streets at ease. Why? Everyone knew this cop had control of the intersection.
Let’s go back and look at what happened at this very dangerous intersection. The first cop went to the middle of the intersection lethargically and did not assert the authority that his badge and uniform gave him. He allowed the intersection to overwhelm him. Then, the 2nd cop inserted himself in the center of the intersection and most definitely let everyone know that he had the authority to control the intersection. The look in his eyes made everybody know that you had best not mess with him. Order ensued.
This reflects Christians today. We have all authority in Jesus Christ; yet, allow the intersections of our lives to becomes messes because of fear, uncertainty, and doubt. A few of us understand and affirm the authority of the cross, the victory of the shed blood and the power of the resurrection. These folks march out into the seemingly harmful intersections of their lives victoriously because they know and affirm the authority that Jesus has given them. Allow me to back up what I am saying by quoting a couple of verses to you:
“When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18&19). Jesus extends His authority “to the very end of the age”. This resurrected Savior and Lord has given us His authority. Notice above that some doubted. Staring them in their faces was Jesus in His resurrected body, and they did not believe. I could be judgmental, but, how could I? The Holy Spirit reminds of many of the wonderful things the Lord has shown me, done for me and given me; however, I often remain in unbelief. We have the choice of declaring Jesus or doubting Jesus as Lord.
Allow me to ask you a question. Are you living life like the 1st Cop above marching out in the middle of the intersections of life with fear, uncertainty, and doubt? Or, are you living like the 2nd Cop who affirmed his authority? Colossian 2:15 states that Jesus “having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” The authority is ours. However, it is up to each of us whether we stand and proclaim our victory or live in unbelief and defeat.
Barnabas Man 